In a point-of-care test (POCT) survey carried out on 109 doctors in Nigeria, the top 3 parameters selected as important to be tested at point of care by more than 90% of the doctors were glucose (95.3%), potassium (92.5%), and hemoglobin (91.6%). Eighty-nine (82%) of the doctors had used a POCT device, with more than 40% of the them having used a device for glucose (71.6%), pregnancy testing (53.2%), urine chemistry (44%), and hemoglobin (43.1%). Less than 10% of the doctors had used a POCT device for cardiac enzymes (5.5%), drugs of abuse (4.6%), and lithium (1.8%). From a list of critical-care POCT devices consisting of traditional reusable systems (Bayer-Chiron, Radiometer-ABL, NOVA, IL-Synthesis), reusable cartridge-based systems (Radimeter-ABL70/77, IL-GEM Premier, Bayer-Rapidpoint 400), and single-use systems (Roche-AVL Opti, Abbott-i-STAT, Diametrics ITC IRMA), a total of 19 doctors (19.2%) had used the Abbott-i STAT; 6 (6.1%), the Roche-AVL Opti and the Nova; 4 (4.0%), the Bayer Chiron; 3 (3.0%), the Bayer Rapid Point 400; and 1 (1.0%), the Radiometer-ABL and the IL-GEM Premier, whereas none of the doctors had used the Radiometer-ABL 70/77, the IL-Synthesis, or the Diametrics ITC IRMA. For general POCT sampling, more than two-thirds (73%) of the doctors preferred the finger-prick sampling method.
