Can the Point-Of-Care Chemistry Test (POCT) Solve the Emergency Department (ED) Crowding?

A Randomized Controlled Trial Comparing Central Laboratory and Point-of-care Chemistry Test for Solving the Emergency Department Crowding

The hypothesis of this study that the Point-Of-Care Chemistry Test (POCT) may shorten Emergency Department (ED) length of stay (LOS).

ED crowding is one of the most serious problems in ED. POCT has shorter turn-around time compared to centralized laboratory system. If POCT introduce to ED, it may help to shorten LOS of ED patients.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Patients older than 15 years
• clinically required to have chemistry lab tests
• ESI 2-5
• written agreement to participate

Exclusion Criteria:

• no agreement
• ESI level 1
• no chemistry lab