TY - JOUR T1 - Audit of turn-around times in a microbiology laboratory. JF - Journal of Clinical Pathology JO - J Clin Pathol SP - 257 LP - 258 DO - 10.1136/jcp.44.3.257 VL - 44 IS - 3 AU - S Rogers AU - M J Bywater AU - D S Reeves Y1 - 1991/03/01 UR - http://jcp.bmj.com/content/44/3/257.abstract N2 - 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. ER -