BIOCHEMICAL TESTS PERFORMED OUTSIDE THE LABORATORY: ANALYTICAL AND INTERPRETATION PROBLEMS

Abstract

Biochemical tests play a crucial role in the diagnosis and monitoring of various pathologies and are widely used in clinical laboratories. With technological advances and the growing demand for rapid diagnostics, Remote Laboratory Testing (RLT) or Point-of-Care Testing (PoCT) have become increasingly common outside the traditional laboratory environment, such as in pharmacies and healthcare facilities. However, this decentralization poses challenges, particularly related to quality control, standardization of procedures, and the technical training of the professionals involved. This paper highlights the importance of laboratory management and quality control in tests performed outside the laboratory, considering the risks of erroneous interpretations by individuals without adequate training. Given this scenario, this paper synthesizes evidence published between 2020 and 2025 in the PubMed and SciELO databases, proposing guidelines for the standardization of pre-analytical protocols, the implementation of quality assurance programs, and the ongoing training of operators. Finally, the expected outcome will be the collection of information from this study, which may contribute to ensuring accuracy and reliability comparable to methods used in clinical laboratories.