What is the expected turnaround time for result reporting of acid-fast stains for laboratories that refer acid-fast stains to a reference laboratory?

Any examples are for illustrative purposes only.

Joint Commission Standards require that laboratories report the results of acid-fast stains, both positive and negative, within 24 hours of specimen receipt. The intent is to require the TESTING laboratory to report results of acid-fast stains within 24 hours of specimen receipt. For laboratories that perform acid-fast stains, the expected turnaround time for result reporting is 24 hours.

For laboratories that refer acid-fast stains to reference laboratories, The Joint Commission recommends that the reference laboratories be informed of the 24 hour turnaround time expectation for result reporting by the testing laboratory. In addition, laboratories are encouraged to establish a 24 hour turnaround time for the processing and transport of acid-fast staining specimens to the reference laboratories.