The Effect of Li-Heparin Plasma Preference In Emergency Unit And New Emergency Test Request Panel On Troponin I Turnaround Time

INTRODUCTION: Serum to plasma sample type change and renewal of the emergency test request panel were carried out in our laboratory workflow to decrease the turnaround time (TAT) of the troponin I test requested from the emergency department. The aim of the present study was to compare the TATs of the troponin I test between the short and long term periods before and after the workflow arrangements. METHODS: In our study, TAT times of the emergency service troponin I test were compared in the study groups as; three months before the organization (n=1852), short-term post organization (n=1278) and long-term post organization (n=2786) at three months intervals. The data were obtained retrospectively from the Laboratory Information System. RESULTS: Troponin I TAT times were compared between the study groups and statistically significant decreases were observed; before and after short-term workflow organization (48±20 vs 43±16 minutes, p=0.0007) before and after long-term workflow organization (48±20 vs 35±12 minutes, p=0.0002). The percentages of the troponin I values exceeding the target TAT emergency periods were also found to be significantly decreased between the study groups; before and after short-term workflow organization (p=0.001) before and after long-term workflow organization (p<0.001). DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: The use of Li-heparin plasma instead of serum as a sample type and the application of new emergency test panel significantly shortened the TAT of troponin I results and the number troponin I specimen exceeding the troponin I target TAT were also found to be significantly decreased and the laboratory quality emergency unit was increased