These related innovations have decreased turnaround time to the point where real-time clinical testing can happen.
Anecdotally, I am aware of universities that, as a result of NSS findings, decreased turnaround time for feedback on assessments without increasing staff numbers.
Standardization and validation of molecular assays as direct detection tests will further decrease turnaround time; however, these methods only complement conventional testing.
Current handheld devices and mobile blood gas analyzers have decreased turnaround time to less than 2 min using a minimal amount of blood [ 2].
Although the real-time RT-PCR format provides considerably decreased turnaround times in molecular diagnostics, delays associated with shipping of samples and laboratory-based testing are a concern when many patients have to be seen in short time.
Since the response time for tests of BRAF status is a major issue, this procedure could also offer new opportunities to significantly enhance sample throughput, decrease turnaround time, and propose an interesting alternative solution in "urgent" cases.
The clinical impact of the decreased turnaround time means that bacterial diarrhea is more promptly ruled out using the CPDC assay compared to using conventional culture in small laboratories.
PCR techniques are becoming more useful in decreasing laboratory turnaround times, providing results to the clinician at an earlier stage.
