Increasing Demand for Reduced TestTurn Around Time (TAT) and Specimen Quality

Emergency Department

“I want SPEED”

“I want specimen QUALITY & PURITY”

Laboratory

• Some improvement have been made• e.g. pneumatic tube transport systems

• No significant ‘technological’ improvements for TAT reduction for decades

• Mismatch between clinical requirement and reality remains • Physicians believe that TAT is a key factor in ED treatment and

length of stay1

Emergency Department (ED)Highlights the Need for Improved TAT

1. Steindel SJ and Howanitz PJ. Physician Satisfaction and Emergency Department Laboratory Test Turn Around Time. Arch Pathol Lab Med. 2001;1:863-871

Factors Impacting TAT

Factors impacting TAT:

• Specimen type (plasma versus serum)

• Specimen processing (clotting time and centrifugation requirements)

• Transportation

• Haemolysis and other specimen quality issues leading to ‘re-works’ or recollection

• Analyser downtime \ maintenance

The Solution:

Gel Separator Barrier

Primary tube sampling = FEA/TAT

2 – 5 min clot = TAT/Speed

fibrin/microclots = Purity

Medical Clotting Agent(Thrombin based coating)

Faster ResultsFaster Results

Fewer RedrawsFewer Redraws

Less instrument downtimeLess instrument downtime

Clean serumClean serum

Potential advantages of RST tubes

RST decreases testing TAT

RST Draw to Analyzer Time = 8 min

TAT savings = 32 min

Summary

• Plasma can provide significant benefits in reducing turnaround time. However the benefits and limitations of plasma are a consideration when determining which specimen is most suitable.

• Specimen management protocols are of particular importance when using heparin plasma.

• Analyte stability Varies widely and is analyte dependant Plasma – Typically no longer than 48 hours Serum – Can be as much as 168 hours at 4C

… the SPEED of plasma & the PURITY of serum …

BD Vacutainer® Rapid Serum Tube (RST) Your Stat Solution