Evaluation of turnaround times as a component of quality assurance in surgical pathology

Abstract

The mean turnaround time for the 501 specimens was 6.24 (SD = 3.16; range = 2-27 days). Turnaround times varied substantially according to specimen type. Endoscopic biopsy samples were completed by 5.19 days (SD = 2.18). Bone biopsies were finalized within a mean of 8.11 days of receipt (SD = 3.18). For the diagnosis of lymphoproliferative disorders, most lymph node specimens required special histochemical or immunohistochemical stains. The mean turnaround time for results reporting/results transmittal to the ordering physician varied between 1.14 and 1.66 days. The 1992 annual mean turnaround time for a total of 14,862 surgical pathology specimens was 5.7 days as compared with 4.2 days for a total of 17,931 surgical pathology specimens in 1994.