How do I calculate laboratory TAT?

TAT = Result Delivered Timestamp - Sample Collection Timestamp. Break it into phases: Pre-analytical = Testing Start - Collection. Analytical = Result Available - Testing Start. Post-analytical = Delivered - Available. This helps identify bottlenecks.

What's a good TAT for clinical labs?

Industry benchmarks: Routine chemistry 60-90 minutes. Stat tests 30-60 minutes. Critical results communicated within 30 minutes from verification. Reference lab tests vary by test type. Your targets should match clinical needs.

Which phase of TAT is usually the bottleneck?

Pre-analytical is often 60-70% of total TAT. Common bottlenecks: incomplete requisitions, courier schedules, manual accessioning. Post-analytical is often overlooked: result review queues, delivery method delays. Analytical is usually NOT the bottleneck.

How can LIMS help reduce TAT?

LIMS improves TAT through: electronic order entry (fewer errors to chase), instrument integration (no manual transcription), auto-verification rules (faster result release), workflow visibility (identify stuck samples), and automated result delivery.

What's the ROI of TAT improvement?

TAT improvement impacts: clinician satisfaction (fewer complaints), patient outcomes (faster treatment decisions), competitive positioning, and operational efficiency. Studies show 25-42% TAT improvement is achievable with focused effort.

How do I set TAT targets?

Set targets based on: clinical need (how fast do physicians need results?), current performance (realistic improvement), and peer benchmarks. Start with problem tests/departments. Measure, improve, then expand. Don't set unrealistic targets that demoralize staff.

What causes TAT outliers?

Common outlier causes: specimens stuck in pre-analytical (missing info, awaiting add-ons), instrument issues or reruns, result review backlogs, delivery failures (fax busy, portal not checked). Track and investigate outliers to find systemic issues.

14 min readUpdated Jan 2026

How to Reduce Lab Turnaround Time: What Actually Works

Q: What is lab turnaround time (TAT)?

Turnaround time measures how long it takes from sample collection to result delivery. Labs typically track total TAT and break it into phases: pre-analytical (collection to testing start), analytical (testing), and post-analytical (result available to delivered).

TAT improvement isn't magic—it's finding and fixing the bottlenecks. Here's where to look.

Turnaround time (TAT) measures how long from sample collection to result delivery. Labs track total TAT and break it into phases: pre-analytical, analytical, and post-analytical. Improving TAT requires understanding which phase is your bottleneck.

Understanding TAT Components

60%

Pre-Analytical Phase

Sample collection → Transport → Accessioning → Preparation

Common bottlenecks: Incomplete requisitions (info chase), courier schedules, manual accessioning, sample sorting

Analytical Phase

Testing on analyzers → QC review → Technical review

Usually NOT the bottleneck: Modern analyzers are fast. Instrument downtime, maintenance, and reruns are the exceptions.

Post-Analytical Phase

Result review/approval → Result delivery → Physician notification

Often overlooked: Pathologist review queues, manual result entry, delivery method delays (fax failures, portals not checked)

Where to Start: Find Your Bottleneck

Measure Current TAT by Phase

Total TAT, pre-analytical, analytical, post-analytical. You can't improve what you don't measure.

Identify the Biggest Phase

Most labs find pre-analytical is longest, post-analytical is overlooked, analytical is usually not the problem.

Dig Into That Phase

Where do samples sit waiting? What causes rework? Where is information missing?

The TAT Improvement Numbers

25-42%

TAT improvement achievable (Lee et al. 2022)

76%

Improvement with Lean Six Sigma methods

78%→89%

Target achievement with real-time monitoring

What moves the needle most: Fixing pre-analytical information gaps, automating result delivery, real-time visibility into bottlenecks.

Common TAT Improvement Mistakes

What Doesn't Work

• Focusing only on analytical speed (often not the bottleneck)
• Adding staff without fixing process (expensive, temporary)
• Implementing technology without workflow change
• Setting unrealistic targets

What Does Work

• Measuring by phase to find real bottlenecks
• Fixing information gaps upfront
• Automating routine decisions
• Continuous monitoring and adjustment

How Gistia Helps with TAT

We focus on the workflow parts of TAT: order entry optimization, AI that flags missing info before processing, results delivery automation with smart channel selection, and workflow visibility with real-time tracking.

What we don't do: Clinical process optimization (operations territory) or instrument optimization (work with your vendors).

Want to understand where your TAT bottlenecks are?

How to Reduce Lab Turnaround Time: What Actually Works

Understanding TAT Components

Pre-Analytical Phase

Analytical Phase

Post-Analytical Phase

Where to Start: Find Your Bottleneck

Measure Current TAT by Phase

Identify the Biggest Phase

Dig Into That Phase

The TAT Improvement Numbers

Common TAT Improvement Mistakes

What Doesn't Work

What Does Work

How Gistia Helps with TAT

Frequently Asked Questions

Related Resources

Lab Automation Guide

Sample Accessioning Workflow

Results Review Workflow

Critical Results Notification

TAT (Turnaround Time)

Automate Results Delivery