ABSTRACT
Background: This study aims to audit analytic turnaround time (TAT) in a histopathology laboratory with a view to assessing the timeliness of its reports, identify causes of delay in its TAT, and compare this with client perception of its performance. Materials and Methods: Records of 1440 batches of specimens processed over a 5-year period in the histopathology laboratory of a teaching hospital were retrieved from archives. From these, median and mean TATs were calculated and causes of delay identified. Questionnaires were also deployed to assess physicians' perception of the laboratory's performance. Results: Analytic TAT was 3.6 ± 2 days, with 86.7% of reports being ready within 5 working days. The delays in timeliness of report generation were due mainly to residency training-related factors; tissue processing-related factors, and inadequate clinical information among others. Client perception of TAT rated the laboratory below average by 18.4%; average by 57.5%; good by 20.7%, and excellent in its performance by 3.4% of respondents. Conclusion: Even though physicians perceived the laboratory's TAT to be just average, its analytic TAT for reports is within acceptable international standards but with room for improvement in its performance
Subject(s)
Laboratories, Hospital/organization & administration , Nigeria , Pathology , Patients , Time Management , Work PerformanceABSTRACT
L'objectif general de ce travail etait de faire une analyse critique de l'utilisation du temps de travail par le personnel des services de sante de premier echelon de Yaounde. 7 formations sanitaires de toutes categories ont ete retenues. 145 agents ont ete interroges dont 3;45 pour cent de medecins; 62;07 pour cent de personnel medico-sanitaire et 34;48 pour cent des agents decisionnaires. Les resultats montrent que 30;95 pour cent du temps officiel ne sont pas pris en compte dans les centres. seuls 31;13 pour cent du temps de travail institutionnalise sont consacres aux activites professionnelles