Journal of Clinical & Experimental Pathology
Open Access

Turnaround Time (TATs) are important in histopathology because they facilitate early diagnosis and treatment by clinicians. With the laboratory's computer system, TATs are routinely measured and reported. Methods for analyzing TATs have not yet been optimized. Since laboratory TATs are essential, the evaluation of TATs and the identification of variables that influence TATs are also essential. In this study, we demonstrated that Kaplan-Meier plots identify TATinfluencing variables. These plots can also be utilized in histopathology to determine whether or not different pathologists achieve significantly distinct TATs. Even though a high TAT is indicative of unsatisfactory performance, it may be unable to identify the source of inefficiency. Therefore, depending on the complexity of the cases, additional time should be allotted to collect clinical data in order to guarantee the quality of diagnostic reports. We conclude that an internal audit of turnaround times using a random sample of histopathology specimen’s yields a repeatable, formal, and quantifiable assessment of a diagnostic pathology service. Turnaround Time is an important measurement or quality indicator of a surgical pathology laboratory (TAT) . TAT is defined as the "Period for completing a process cycle, typically expressed as the average of similar periods in the past. The review of the relevant literature reveals various approaches to the definition of TAT. According to , the most common definition of TAT used by clinical laboratories is the time between the arrival of the sample and the reporting of the results. By test (e.g., calcium), priority (e.g., urgent or routine), population served (e.g., inpatient, , outpatient, ED), and the activities included, TAT can also be classified. The latter is the largest source of variation in TAT reporting. Lundberg described the brain-tobrain TAT or "total testing cycle" as a nine-step process: ordering, collection, identification, transportation, preparation, analysis, reporting, interpretation, and action . The diagnostic biopsy is regarded as the gold standard for pathologies and diseases. A shorter TAT is primarily motivated by uncertainty regarding the presence or absence of pathology (disease or cancer). The additional benefit of a shorter TAT is that it reduces hospital stays and saves money on health care. There are no consistent methods for reporting or analyzing TATs, which diminishes their significance. To improve the TAT, it is necessary to identify the variables that influence them. The ,typical statistics for TATs include means, medians, 90th percentiles, and fractions of tests exceeding selected cutoffs. Identified eight variables and three variables that significantly affect means or medians in histopathology. Robin Vollmer has analyzed TAT using statistical methods for failure times or survival time analysis. In this study, we analyzed TAT for small biopsies. Fewer studies in the English literature have focused on analytic phases as opposed to preanalytic ones. In addition, histopathology analytic phases studies have contributed to the global literature on error detection and error proofing in analytic and post-analytic phases, with little emphasis on the pathologist's role in generating a report and no mention of the pathologist's crucial role in accelerating or delaying the TAT. This study analyzed the various causes of delayed TAT, with an emphasis on variables in the analytical phase, such as the need for Service- Oriented Device Connectivity (SDCs), special stains, or Immunohistochemistry (IHC). Variability in turnaround time is dependent on specimen type and the experience and expertise of the reporting pathologist. There are numerous strengths in this audit. First, this is the first study on delayed TAT in the Indian subcontinent's histopathology department. Second, we have attempted to conduct a thorough analysis of the causes of the delayed TAT for the same.