Risk-based turnaround time management: a look at some important issues

Turnaround time (TAT) is often viewed as an operational performance metric, reported in key performance indicator (KPI) dashboards and service-level agreements (SLAs). However, within a risk management framework, TAT should be recognised as a clinical risk directly linked to patient outcomes. Delays in laboratory test reporting can result in missed therapeutic opportunities, prolonged hospital stays, and, in some cases, direct patient harm. A risk-based approach to TAT management is therefore essential – not just for operational efficiency but as a central patient safety strategy.

ISO 15189:2022 reinforces this perspective by embedding timeliness as a key quality element throughout laboratory processes, while ISO 22367:2020 defines a systematic approach for identifying and controlling risks within medical laboratories. In line with these standards, this article (hopefully!) reframes TAT management as a clinical risk process, requiring formal risk assessment, structured controls, continuous monitoring, and ongoing review.

We now recognise that the responsibility of the laboratory extends beyond the analytical phase. From the moment a sample is collected to the point the result reaches the clinical team, laboratories have a duty to ensure timely processing and communication. This article outlines a structured, risk-based framework to define, manage and monitor TAT, focusing not merely on meeting predefined targets but on safeguarding patients by ensuring test results are delivered within clinically acceptable timeframes.