Delay in Turnaround Time in Reporting Small Biopsy Specimens: An Experience from a Tertiary Care Hospital in Lahore

Abstract

Background & objectives: Turnaround time (TAT) is defined as time lapse between receiving of a specimen
at laboratory reception till dispatch of the final histopathological diagnosis. TAT is not only an efficient
indicator of laboratory performance but is the most important concern of practicing physicians dealing with
histopathology report. The aim of this study was to analyse the delay in turnaround time of different types of
small biopsy specimens in histopathology section.
Methods: A cross sectional analysis was done on 218 different types of small biopsy specimens reported by
histopathology section. Delay in turnaround time involving different phases of testing was observed and data
was entered using SPSS version 26.
Results: The mean turnaround time in this study was 6.66 days. Majority of the reports were reported after a
delay of 4-7days (n=83). Causes in delay mostly included recuts 69 (31.65%), re-orientation 22 (10.09%),
intradepartmental consultation 52 (23.85%) and troubleshootings in LIS 16 (7.33%). Inappropriate supervision
and training of newly hired technical staff was a major factor in ordering of recuts, reorientation and restains.
Conclusion: Turnaround Time, a measure of quality assurance, is essential to the efficient operation of a
successful histopathology laboratory. The patient's anxiety is reduced and timely treatment is assisted by
proper TAT.