Prolonged Turnaround Time of the Hematology Laboratory and Related Factors in the South Gondar Zone, North West Ethiopia, Multi‐Centered Study

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Turnaround time refers to the time it takes from receiving a sample in the lab to delivering test results to clinicians or stakeholders. This study aimed to determine the magnitude of prolonged turnaround time in the hematology laboratory of three selected hospitals in the South Gondar zone, North West Ethiopia. METHODOLOGY: An institutional-based cross-sectional study was conducted from September to December 2023 in the hematology laboratory of selected South Gondar zone hospitals. Debre Tabor's Comprehensive Specialized Hospital was selected purposefully as the sole referral hospital, while Addis Zemen and Nefas Mewcha primary hospitals were randomly selected. The final sample size was 2401. Missing values (n = 70) were managed using the deletion method, assuming data were Missing completely at Random (MCAR). The final dataset included 2331 dataset. RESULT: Of the 2331 samples, 807 (34.6%: 95% CI 32.8%-36.6%) had prolonged turnaround time. Poor sample condition caused delays in 382 (16.4%) samples. Workday of the weeks, clotted blood samples, and blood fill levels were significantly associated with prolonged TAT. CONCLUSION: The magnitude of prolonged TAT in hematology laboratories is high. The delays are primarily driven by preanalytical factors, specifically poor sample condition (clotting and improper fill levels) and timing of collection (Fridays). Interventions should focus on enhancing preanalytical sample quality management and optimizing laboratory workflows to reduce prolonged TAT.