[The assessment of quick turnaround service in clinical laboratories]

The quick turnaround service of laboratory data has been a basic and fundamental service of clinical laboratories. To realize this service, there are three basic requirements in the hospital and laboratory information systems. The first is cooperation with the hospital information system providing bar-coded label sampling system and test requisition from the information system terminal. The second is real time quality assurance system fully supported from the laboratory information system. The third is random and sequential automated analyzer supported by the bar-code system. In 1994, we set up an automated system in our clinical laboratories. The effect of the quick turnaround service of reporting was analyzed and is discussed herein. Employing this system, the quick turnaround service system was established for 31 items of biochemistry, glucose, Thrombo test and complete cell counting of hematology. Furthermore, these items were available within 30 minutes before medical consultation. Effective sample conveying system, quick sample preparation without clotting and arrival information system of laboratory data as a mailing system are further requirements for this quick turnaround service system.