Multisite point-of-care potassium testing for patient-focused care.

In the past two decades, a dominant paradigm has been the main laboratory, which is often located far from the patient and characterized by slow response times. The invention of whole blood biosensors and the innovation of point-of-care testing have initiated a paradigm shift in diagnostic medicine that supports the trend toward patient-focused care. The objective of this study was to compare point-of-care potassium testing performed with a handheld potassium analyzer (STAT K, PDx Technologies Inc, Westlake Village, Calif) in the cardiac and intensive care units with potassium measurements obtained similarly in the main laboratory. Two critical care nurses performed point-of-care testing for critically ill patients. In a series of 56 specimens, the mean +/- SD potassium levels were 3.91 +/- 0.53 and 3.94 +/- 0.57 mmol/L when testing was performed at the bedside and in the main laboratory, respectively. The mean paired difference, -0.03 mmol/L, between point-of-care and main laboratory results was not statistically or clinically significant. Point-of-care potassium testing is accurate and precise, as well as clinically efficient for use in patient-focused care settings.