Total cholesterol (TC) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDLC) levels are positively related to coronary heart disease (CHD), and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLC) levels are negatively related to CHD. Efforts to identify and treat people at increased risk based on cholesterol and lipoprotein levels have led to more lipid testing and the need for very reliable test results. Point-of-care testing (POCT) has developed from the demand for analytical information more fastly than is available from central laboratories. By carrying the analysis closer to the patient some process steps have been eliminated, facilitating a shorter time to result and faster management response with improved outcomes. Thus benefits include better therapeutic turnaround times (TATs), decreased blood loss as a result of reduced phlebotomy secondary to clinical improvement and diminished resource utilization. These effects depend on acceptable analytical performance in comparison with central laboratory techniques and in relation to clinical criteria.