YNHH Laboratory Manual

Laboratory Medicine has the responsibility for simultaneously processing many test requests, and has set up testing schedules that optimize frequency of test performance with regard to clinical needs and within the constraints of available resources. Target turnaround times are listed for many tests, and reflect the time between receipt of the specimen in the laboratory and availability of the result on the laboratory computer. Often, the results will be available sooner than the target time. Where turnaround times are not given, we attempt to adhere to the following: For testing that is performed around the clock, routine results will be available within 4 hours of specimen receipt. For tests listed as being available stat, results will be available within one hour of specimen receipt, provided stat testing has been requested. (Stat performance of tests without listed stat availability must be arranged with the laboratory. The time of result availability will be estimated at that time.) For tests performed daily, or less frequently, results will generally be available in the afternoon of those days on which the test is performed, provided the specimen is received prior to the listed cut off time. Results for specimens received after the cut off time will be available in the afternoon of the next day on which the test is performed

For microbiology specimens submitted for culture, the minimum turnaround time is 24 hours from the time of receipt. Note that many specimens may be reported as showing "no growth" in the first 24 hours. For mycology, parasitology, and tuberculosis specimens, 6-8 weeks may be required before they are considered to be negative. During this time, these tests will receive a designation of "pending."

Updated: Sep-2007