Table 3
Factors that may influence the choice of a near patient device
| How are samples prepared and how much is needed, for example whole blood or serum? |
| Is machine easy to use and what are the staff skill requirements? |
| What size is the machine and how portable? |
| Is machine reliable, safe, and robust? |
| Can machine cope with workload and tests required? |
| Machine accuracy (how close are results to “true” or definitive method?) |
| Precision (how repeatable is result) |
| Minimum detection limit (what is lowest detectable concentration?) |
| Response time and warm up time (how quick is result) |
| Is there machine result drift during assay? |
| Is there a wide analytical range or linearity? |
| What are interfering compounds? |
| Is machine temperature dependent? |
| How easy is machine calibration? |
| Is a staff training programme included? |
| How are reagents stored? |
| How long is the operating lifetime? |
| Is maintenance easy and is a contract included or is this extra? |
| Easy to decontaminate? |
| Cost of machine, reagents, calibration and quality control |
| Is assay comparable to those of local laboratory? |
| Is a quality control scheme included? |
| Will machine soon become obsolete? |
