Increasing Demand for Reduced Test Turn 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 stay 1 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:

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 Results Fewer Redraws Less instrument downtime Clean 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