Specimen turnaround time

Typical report turnaround time is outlined below for each general type of specimen. Turnaround time is measured in working days from the time the report is accessioned to the time a verbal or written report is available. Verbal reports may be available sooner.

• Biopsies: Two to three working days
• Large cancer cases: 5 days
• Routine, non-cancer cases: Three to four working days

Special situations requiring additional time for report completion:

• Overnight fixation, one day
• Decalcification, one to two days
• Resubmission of tissue, one to two days
• Recut/deeper sections, one to two days
• Immunohistochemistry or other special stains, one to two days
• Intra-departmental consultation, one to two days

Note: When a prolonged delay is anticipated, a report with a favored diagnosis will be issued with a comment that a supplementary report will follow with the results of the special studies and resultant final diagnosis.