Laboratory Information Systems and Analytical Turnaround Time

Abstract

Objective: The analytical turnaround time for laboratories is an indicator of their effectiveness and can be used as a quality indicator for laboratory medicine. It can also impact health care services. Laboratory information systems can impact the analytical turnaround time. Thus, any changes in these systems may affect the turnaround time for the laboratories they operate in. This study examines whether or not there is a significant improvement in the analytical turnaround time of the Haematology section at King Abdulaziz Medical City Laboratory Department in Jeddah after the implementation of the new laboratory information system. Design: This is a one-group, pre-test – post-test, quasi-experimental study with no control group. Results: Comparing the analytical turnaround time means of the tested panels between the new and the old laboratory information systems showed statistically significant differences. In general, a one-month increase was observed in the analytical turnaround time after the implementation of the new laboratory information system; however the analytical turnaround time was shown to have decreased after that the first month post implementation. Conclusion: The analytical Turnaround Time of the Haematology section at the Laboratory Department of King Abdulaziz Medical City – Jeddah was shown to have improved after implementing the new Laboratory Information System. However, it took some time until the improvement occurred.