OBJECTIVETo analyze the influence of prelaboratory and intralaboratory factors on the turnaround time of the reports in order to develop a reference database for continuous quality improvement, a retrospective study of the timeliness was reported.

METHODSUsing cluster sampling of a total of 5,979 pathology reports selected by sampling a single month's reports from each quarter of the year 2000, of which there were 5,250 cases from routine biopsy and 729 cases from operative specimen. The timeliness and the factors that influence the turnaround time of the two types of surgical pathology reports were analyzed.

RESULTS4,872 pathology reports of 5,250 routine biopsy cases were completed in 3 working days, and 613 of 729 cases of the operative specimens were completed in 4 working days. The percentage was 92.8% and 84.1% respectively. Factors that significantly contributed to the increase in turnover time of biopsy reports included request of immunohistochemical staining, delayed arrival of the operative specimen at the laboratory after frozen section, additional recutting, intradepartment consultation and decalcification etc. As for the operative cases, several factors were associated with delayed report: second day arrival of the operative specimen at the laboratory after frozen section, lack of the adequate clinical history, request for immunohistochemical staining etc.

CONCLUSIONSThe majority of surgical pathology reports in the department can be completed timely and the timeliness meets the general standard. Only about 10 percent of the reports were delayed because of some prelaboratory and intralaboratory factors, for which there were 33.5% and 66.5% respectively for routine biopsy, and 50.9% and 49.1% respectively for operative specimen.