Currently a major trend and a highly complex matter of major medical and economic importance is the introduction of POCT systems in healthcare. The students know about the medical, economic and organizational aspects of this patient-related laboratory diagnostics (POCT) in clinical settings and know about the challenges, opportunities and risks as well as their limitations for health care. They can relate and apply the acquired knowledge of measuring process, evaluation, method-specific measured values, measurement results and calculation methods with the functionality of current and innovative POCT device technologies. They can assess which data and parameters are necessary for patient and sample identification. In particular, they are able to detect method-specific interference factors and can adequately respond to such confounding factors. Furthermore, they are able to implement and monitor patient-related laboratory diagnostics - project related, appropriately and in compliance with the standards in clinical facilities. They master the tools of project, process, quality and change management necessary for the implementation and monitoring of near-patient immediate diagnostics. They are aware of a suitable communication structure with the parties involved (e.g. medical and nursing services, medical technology department, administration, IT) and can reflect these contextually, i.e. they have the communicative and organizational skills to handle complex interdisciplinary tasks which are necessary for implementing POCT. They are able to develop conceptual considerations in order to actively shape change-processes. They know approaches and methods to control change and communication processes.

Modules of semesters 1-5

• Point-of-care testing in a variety of applications (e.g., blood gas analysis, coagulation, emergency diagnostics, and monitoring)
• Indications, preanalytics, analytics and postanalytics in POCT
• Quality assurance and quality management at POCT
• Medical, economic and organizational challenges, opportunities, risks and metrological / medical limitations in POCT
• Implementation of a POCT including workflow management (basics of project and process management)
• Fundamentals of data management and IT networking of POCT
• Organizational and communication structure in the implementation of POCT in facilities, change and conflict management related to POCT and POCT integration
• Legal framework of POCT

Eiff W. (2013), POCT-Management - klinische und ökonomische Effekte (Gesundheitswesen in der Praxis), medhochzwei;
Luppa P. & Junker R. (2017), POCT - Patientennahe Labordiagnostik, Springer;
Books, journals and websites according to the current state of knowledge in the respective fields.

Lectures, group discussions / exercises, reflections

Module examination