Morning rounds inpatient test availability - A College of American Pathologists Q-Probes study of 79860 morning complete blood cell count and electrolyte test results in 367 institutions

Objectives.-To determine the success with which laboratories were able to r eport morning test results on time, the laboratory practice characteristics associated with improved success, and the degree of satisfaction among cli nicians with the timeliness of laboratory service. Design,Hospital laboratories participating in the College of American Patho logist Q-Probes laboratory quality improvement program prospectively calcul ated the percentages of morning-run complete blood cell count (CBC) and ele ctrolyte results that were reported on or before predetermined reporting de adlines, completed questionnaires concerning their departments' practice ch aracteristics as they related to performing morning blood work, and distrib uted to physician utilizers of morning laboratory services questionnaires e valuating physician satisfaction with laboratory services. Setting and Participants.-A total of 367 public and private institutions lo cated in the United States (355), Canada (5), Australia (2), and 1 each in the United Kingdom, Spain, Brazil, Korea, and Guam. Main Outcome Measure.-The percentages of morning-run CBC and electrolyte re sults reported on or before predetermined reporting deadlines. Results.-Participants submitted data on 40256 CBC and 39 604 electrolyte sp ecimens. In aggregate, a total of 88.9% of these tests (90.2% of CBCs and 8 7.6% of electrolytes) were reported on or before the reporting deadlines th at the participating laboratories set for themselves. Half of the participa nts reported 94.6% of their CBC results and 95.5% of their electrolyte resu lts on or before their self-imposed reporting deadlines. No specific demogr aphic features or departmental practice characteristics were associated wit h higher or lower rates of institutional reporting compliance. Most physici an utilizers of early-morning laboratory test results believed that the lab oratory is sensitive to and meets the needs of clinicians for timely report ing of early-morning test results. Conclusions.-Most laboratories are capable of reporting 95% of their routin e morning laboratory tests on time, and most physicians are satisfied with their laboratories' morning testing service.