[Histonet] TAT for frozens?

[Linda Blazek]

Thought this might help.Linda ANP.11820             Phase I  N/A   YES   NO Does the laboratory periodically evaluate turnaround time for intraoperative frozen sections? NOTE:  If 90% of frozen sections are not completed within 20 minutes, the laboratory must document evaluation of the reason(s) for the delay.  This turnaround time is intended to apply to the typical single frozen section.  In cases where there are multiple sequential frozen sections required on a single specimen (e.g., resection margins), or in cases where additional studies such as radiographic correlation are required, longer turnaround times may be expected.  COMMENTARY: At least 90% of frozen section interpretations should be rendered within 20 minutes of specimen arrival in the frozen section area.  This 20-minute turnaround time is intended to apply to the typical single frozen section.  If 90% of frozen sections are not completed within 20 minutes, there must be documentation of the reason(s) for the delay.  In cases where there are multiple sequential frozen sections required on a single specimen (e.g., resection margins), or in cases where additional studies such as radiographic correlation are required, longer turnaround times may be expected. REFERENCE: Novis DA, Zarbo RJ. Interinstitutional comparison of frozen section turnaround time. A College of American Pathologists Q-Probes study of 32 868 frozen sections in 700 hospitals. Arch Pathol Lab Med. 1997;121:559-567.