The way diagnostic testing is delivered is changing rapidly. As health systems expand outpatient care and move toward decentralized models, point-of-care (POC) diagnostics are emerging as a key bridge between the central laboratory and the patient bedside. This shift is not just technological, it’s structural. Clinical laboratories must now manage distributed testing environments, adapt staffing and quality systems, and maintain oversight across multiple care settings.
According to MarketsandMarkets, the decentralization of diagnostic testing is one of the fastest-growing global trends, driven by the demand for faster results and greater accessibility at the point of care (1).
Labs Are Being Rebuilt Around Care Delivery, Not Just Equipment
Outpatient and urgent care growth is shifting diagnostic testing away from the traditional centralized lab. Providers increasingly rely on near-patient testing to support rapid triage and treatment decisions. This requires laboratories to balance speed with accuracy, oversight, and standardization across diverse testing environments (1).
At the same time, the workforce supporting these programs is evolving. Laboratory and clinical staff are collaborating across locations, requiring consistent procedures and digital tools to maintain quality. As PubMed Central notes, managing a large POC network involves challenges related to staffing, competency, quality management, and data standardization (2).
POC Technology Is Driving New Expectations in Diagnostics
Clinicians and patients now expect results in minutes, not hours. Compact analyzers and simplified workflows make it possible to scale POC testing across outpatient clinics, urgent care centers, and even mobile health units. Roche Diagnostics reports that this accelerated turnaround time improves time-critical decision-making and streamlines practice workflows, especially as staffing shortages continue to strain healthcare operations (3).
However, the promise of faster testing comes with the need for connectivity. Without integration into a laboratory information system (LIS) or middleware, POC programs can introduce data silos and inconsistent documentation. Effective oversight remains essential to ensure test accuracy, regulatory compliance, and patient safety (2).
Operational Priorities for Decentralized Testing
To support this new diagnostic ecosystem, labs must rethink operations in four key areas:
- Standardization: Establish clear QC and competency protocols across all sites to reduce variability.
- Connectivity: Integrate POC devices into LIS systems to maintain traceability and compliance.
- Inventory Control: Use centralized tracking to manage reagents and lot numbers across distributed environments.
- Training: Ensure that both lab and non-lab staff receive proper instruction on testing, QC, and result interpretation.
These operational foundations help laboratories maintain quality even as testing migrates closer to patients.
Rethinking Staffing for a Distributed Testing Environment
As diagnostics decentralize, collaboration between lab professionals and clinical teams becomes critical. POC testing shifts routine tasks to nurses and frontline staff, increasing the need for cross-training and clear accountability. Leadership must also plan for resource allocation, data management, and regulatory adherence across all care settings (2).
With proper structure, this collaboration enhances, not replaces, the central lab’s role. Rather than losing control, lab directors gain a wider operational footprint and more meaningful influence on patient care pathways.
How SEKISUI Diagnostics Supports Modern POC Strategies
SEKISUI Diagnostics designs point-of-care systems that help labs scale efficiently, maintain accuracy, and stay compliant in this new decentralized environment.
- Intuitive interfaces and compact instruments simplify deployment across multiple care sites.
- Built-in quality controls and clear documentation reduce training burden and minimize variability.
- Comprehensive technical support ensures consistent performance and integration within existing lab workflows.
From OSOM® Rapid Tests to Diagnostic Readers and Respiratory Health Solutions, SEKISUI Diagnostics offers scalable tools that strengthen diagnostic programs across the continuum of care.
Looking Ahead
The future of laboratory medicine is not confined to four walls. As point-of-care diagnostics continue to expand, labs that invest in standardization, connectivity, and vendor partnerships will be best positioned to thrive.
SEKISUI Diagnostics remains committed to supporting this transformation—helping laboratory leaders embrace a distributed model that delivers accuracy, speed, and confidence wherever testing happens.
References
1. The future of decentralised healthcare and diagnostics. Cambridge, Tony. s.l. : Roche Diagnostics, 2025.
2. Chokkala, Anil K., Recio, Brandy D. and Deveraj, Sridevi. Best Practices for Effective Management of Point of Care Testing. s.l. : PubMed Central, 2023. 37868087.
3. Roche Diagnostics. Why point-of-care testing is vital to medical diagnostics. Roche Diagnostics. [Online] Roche Diagnostics, December 2024. https://diagnostics.roche.com/us/en/article-listing/why-point-of-care-testing-is-vital-to-medical-diagnostics.html.
Share Article