PT - JOURNAL ARTICLE AU - S Rogers AU - M J Bywater AU - D S Reeves TI - Audit of turn-around times in a microbiology laboratory. AID - 10.1136/jcp.44.3.257 DP - 1991 Mar 01 TA - Journal of Clinical Pathology PG - 257--258 VI - 44 IP - 3 4099 - http://jcp.bmj.com/content/44/3/257.short 4100 - http://jcp.bmj.com/content/44/3/257.full SO - J Clin Pathol1991 Mar 01; 44 AB - To determine the turn-around time in a microbiology laboratory a survey form was designed to collect data on the origin and type of specimen and the dates and times when (i) the sample was taken; (ii) the specimen was received in the laboratory; (iii) the report was signed by the microbiologist; (iv) the report was sorted by the laboratory clerical staff; and (v) the final report was received on the ward. The cumulative time from sampling to a result arriving on the ward was 51.5 (SD 28.6) hours. The survey is a simple method of determining turn-around time and high-lighted minor deficiencies in the service which were easily rectified.