Improving laboratory efficiencies through significant time reduction in the preanalytical phase.

Total turnaround time (TAT) in laboratory testing has been traditionally characterized as the time from specimen collection to the reporting of results (1, 2). Despite improvements in analytical testing systems (i.e., automation), little to no measurable improvements have been demonstrated for the preanalytical phase of TAT. Efforts to address some aspects of the preanalytical phase, specifically specimen transport (i.e., pneumatic tubes), as well as efforts to streamline laboratory processes (i.e., Lean), have had little impact on TAT. Total laboratory TAT remains a pertinent issue in today’s healthcare environment (3). In addition, with the growth in the aging population, the volume of medical services, particularly in the clinical laboratory, has increased. Since the information utilized for patient diagnosis and treatment management is often based on laboratory results, this increase may also cause additional pressure to optimize the length of the total testing process in order to assure effective patient care and to reduce unnecessary delays and costs (4–6). In a Q-probes survey from the College of American Pathologists on Emergency Department (ED) TAT, laboratory TAT was felt to cause delayed treatment and increased length of stay in the ED more than half of the time (7). Therefore, total TAT continues to be a factor in assessing laboratory