Minister for Health Mary Harney will today unveil new guidelines for using medical testing devices at home.
Technological advances have seen an increase in the so-called Point of Care Testing (POCT) kits which allow diagnosis to be carried out on certain conditions outside the hospital or clinic.
Applications include simple urine indicators and electronic meters which can be used to screen some common disorders or to monitor responses to therapy.
A Point of Care Testing Consultative Group, set up in 2006, has now produced guidelines for their safe and effective use.
Ms Harney will launch the best practice guide at the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland in Dublin.