Turnaround time for common clinical chemistry examinations and root cause analysis for its delay

Abstract

Objectives: Measurement of turnaround time for common clinical chemistry examinations and performing root cause analysis for causes for inadequate turnaround time for examinations. Materials and Methods: The Turnaround Times (TAT) of common biochemistry tests ordered by physicians for OPD, IPD and ICU patients were evaluated. Various time periods were recorded, calculated and evaluated. Root cause analysis for delay in TAT was performed by Ishikawa fishbone method. Results and Conclusions: The study shows that average TAT for OPD patients was 22-23 hours, for indoor patient was 6-7 hours and for ICU patient was 7-8 hours. There was major contribution of report transport system in the total TAT, while actual analytical TAT contributed very small to over all TAT. The study shows that, lack of efficient sample and report transport, lack of man power and lack of electronic transport of report is root cause of delay in TAT. Keywords: Turnaround time, Root cause analysis, Ishikawa fishbone method.