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Related Experiment Videos

Laboratory turnaround time.

Robert C Hawkins1

  • 1Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, Tan Tock Seng Hospital, 11 Jalan Tan Tock Seng, Singapore. Robert_Hawkins@ttsh.com.sg

The Clinical Biochemist. Reviews
|April 9, 2008
PubMed
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Laboratory turnaround time (TAT) is a key performance indicator. This review suggests a goal of 90% of common lab tests completed in under 60 minutes for acceptable TAT and continuous quality improvement.

Area of Science:

  • Clinical Laboratory Science
  • Healthcare Management
  • Quality Improvement

Background:

  • Laboratory turnaround time (TAT) is a critical indicator of laboratory service quality and performance.
  • Efficient TAT is essential for timely clinical decision-making and patient care.
  • Existing literature on TAT lacks a consolidated source for benchmarking and improvement strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review and summarize existing literature on laboratory TAT.
  • To provide a consolidated source of benchmarking data for TAT goals.
  • To encourage the implementation of TAT monitoring for continuous quality improvement.

Main Methods:

  • Systematic literature review of studies on laboratory TAT.
  • Analysis of different definitions, measures, and expectations of TAT.

Related Experiment Videos

  • Examination of published TAT data and associations with clinical outcomes.
  • Identification of strategies for TAT improvement.

    • Main Results:

    • TAT definitions and measurement methods vary across studies.
    • Published TAT data shows significant variation depending on test complexity and laboratory workload.
    • Faster TAT is associated with improved clinical outcomes and patient satisfaction.
    • Key strategies for TAT improvement include workflow optimization, automation, and staff training.

    Conclusions:

    • A 90% completion time of less than 60 minutes for common laboratory tests is proposed as an initial benchmark for acceptable TAT.
    • Implementing TAT monitoring is crucial for continuous quality improvement in laboratory services.
    • Standardizing TAT definitions and measurement is recommended for better benchmarking and comparison across laboratories.