Methods

TAT analysis for this section utilised the linked and verified dataset as described in Section V. This enabled examination of the following two measures:

• the data entry phase undertaken within CSR measured from the time a specimen is received in the CSR to when the specimen leaves CSR (Data entry time).
• Total Laboratory TAT measured from the time a specimen is received in the CSR to the time a verified result is available (Total Laboratory TAT).

Data were extracted from the LIS for all six study hospitals for the months August and September for each of the years from 2008 to 2011. The tests selected were limited to high-volume tests (EUC [electrolytes, urea, creatinine] in the clinical chemistry department and Automated Differential [including full blood count] in the haematology department).