Clinica chimica acta; international journal of clinical chemistry
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Point-of-care testing (POCT) for the management of patients with diabetes has become a standard of care. Originally, diabetic monitoring was accomplished by manual urine dipsticks. The development of hand-held, battery-operated capillary glucose monitors radically improved the ability of physicians and nurses to monitor diabetic patients during their hospital stay. ⋯ Glucose values can now be performed in a fraction of the time of the first-generation meters, the need to wipe the glucose strips has been eliminated, and only certified operators can use the instrument. Networking technology allows for centralized quality control management, and the ability to network with other point-of-care technologies using intranet and in the near future internet applications. Collectively, these developments have radically improved the efficiency and quality of bedside capillary glucose testing, and have significantly enhanced the ability to manage this important technology.