Continuous monitoring of stat and routine outlier turnaround times: two College of American Pathologists Q-Tracks monitors in 291 hospitals.
BACKGROUND
The laboratory test turnaround times (TATs) that exceed the expectations of clinicians who order those tests, the so-called outlier test reporting rates, may be responsible for perceptions of inadequate laboratory service.


OBJECTIVE
To monitor outlier test reporting rates for emergency department stat potassium results and routine inpatient morning blood tests.


METHODS
In 2 different monitors, each conducted for 2 years, laboratory personnel in institutions enrolled in the College of American Pathologists (CAP) Q-Tracks program tracked the percentages of emergency department stat potassium results and/or the percentages of morning rounds routine test results that were reported later than self-imposed reporting deadlines.


METHODS
A total of 291 hospitals participating in 2 CAP Q-Tracks monitors.


RESULTS
Participants monitored 225,140 stat emergency department potassium TATs, of which 33,402 (14.8%) were outliers, and 1,055040 routine morning test reporting times, of which 123,554 (11.7%) were outliers. For both monitors, there was a significant (P <.05) downward trend in the outlier rates as the number of quarters in which participants submitted data increased.


CONCLUSIONS
Outlier reporting rates for emergency department stat potassium and routine morning test results decreased during the 2-year period of continuous monitoring. The CAP Q-Tracks program provides an effective vehicle by which providers of laboratory services may improve the timeliness with which they deliver the results of laboratory tests.
Novis
David A
DA
Department of Pathology, Wentworth-Douglas Hospital, Dover, NH 03820, USA. ynpa@rcn.com
Walsh
Molly K
MK
Dale
Jane C
JC
Howanitz
Peter J
PJ
D019411:Clinical Laboratory Techniques / Q000592:standards*; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital; D006403:Hematologic Tests; D011188:Potassium / Q000032:analysis; D013997:Time Factors
D011188:Potassium