ABSTRACT

There are several starts and end time points that can be used to calculate turnaround time (TAT). This study aimed to compare TAT results that were estimated by selecting test request time and sample receipt time as beginning time. For troponin, potassium, and complete blood count (CBC) tests requested by emergency unit between 01.03.2021 and 30.09.2021, the time difference between request time and approval time as well as between receipt time and approval time was calculated. In addition, if the target TAT was selected as 1-hour for troponin and potassium and as 45-minutes for CBC, the ratio of the number of tests exceeding the target time to the total number of tests was determined for both calculation methods. For all three tests, the time difference between request time and approval time was found to be significantly longer than that of receipt time and approval time. In addition, when receipt time was considered as beginning time, the ratio of tests exceeding the target time to all tests was computed as 15.3% for troponin, 8%, and 3.5% for potassium and CBC, respectively. However, this ratio was determined as 43.1%, 26%, and 18.7% for troponin, potassium, and CBC in case of selecting request time as beginning time, respectively. The performance of stat TAT varies depending on whether test request time or sample receipt time is considered beginning timefor estimating TAT. The evaluation according to test request time has potential to provide a more effective appraisal by including both intra-laboratory and extra-laboratory activities.