Turnaround time analysis of experimental results

Objective:To search the better method and technique to reduce turnaround time(TAT) through analyzing experiment TATs of blood routine specimens in five categories, biochemical specimens and immune specimens. Methods:TAT of the specimens were analyzed using laboratory information system(LIS) and the results of each stage were compared with those of ISO15189 laboratory, the factors of each stage were discussed. Results:The TATs of emergency blood routine specimens did not meet the target value of TAT of ISO15189 lab, while the outpatient and inpatient specimens were in line with TAT target value. The main factors that caused long experiment TATs were: the delay of processing fast emergency specimens, the peak of specimen volume, the complexity of testing process, and the analyzer maintenance and poor operator training. Conclusions:The test results of the samples from outpatient and inpatient department were in accordance with TAT target values of ISO15189 laboratory. For the samples from emergency department which were not in accordance with TAT target values, more attenion should be paid to them and strengthen our clinical laboratory management.