TAT
Abbreviation with 2 meanings
| Stands for | Turnaround time |
|---|---|
| Meanings | 2 |
| Categories | Medical, Science & Engineering |
TAT has two meanings. It stands for Turnaround time (laboratory test) or Thematic Apperception Test (psychology).
Meanings of TAT at a glance
| # | TAT stands for | Context |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Turnaround time | Medical › Laboratory Test |
| 2 | Thematic Apperception Test | Science & Engineering › Psychology |
1. Turnaround time
Medical · Laboratory Test Abbreviations
Time from a test order or specimen collection until the result is available, a key laboratory performance measure. Emergency departments commonly expect results for urgent tests such as troponin within about an hour, and labs track TAT for routine and STAT work as quality metrics.
Example: ED complaint: troponin TAT averaged 85 minutes last week; lab reviewing courier delays.
TAT is usually divided into pre-analytical (ordering, collection, transport), analytical and post-analytical phases, with most delays occurring before the specimen reaches the instrument. Point-of-care testing and pneumatic tube systems are common fixes. Definitions vary, so comparisons between hospitals require agreed start and stop points.
2. Thematic Apperception Test
Science & Engineering · Psychology Abbreviations
Projective personality test in which a person tells stories about ambiguous pictures of people and scenes; examiners analyze the themes, needs and relationships the stories reveal. It has been used in clinical assessment and in research on motivation.
Example: In her TAT stories, the theme of achievement under pressure appeared in nearly every card.
Henry Murray and Christiana Morgan developed the test at Harvard in the 1930s, and the standard set has 31 cards. David McClelland used TAT-style stories to measure the need for achievement. Critics point to inconsistent scoring and weak reliability; structured scoring systems address some concerns.
Related abbreviations
More laboratory test abbreviations
- SPEP – Serum protein electrophoresis
- SST – Serum separator tube
- T&C – Type and crossmatch
- T&S – Type and screen
- TBili – Total bilirubin
- TC – Total cholesterol
- TDM – Therapeutic drug monitoring
- TFT – Thyroid function tests
See all 135 laboratory test abbreviations →
More psychology abbreviations
- SES – Socioeconomic status
- STAI – State-Trait Anxiety Inventory
- STM – Short-term memory
- SWB – Subjective well-being
- ToM – Theory of mind
- TPB – Theory of planned behavior
- UR – Unconditioned response
- US – Unconditioned stimulus
See all 62 psychology abbreviations →
This entry is for general education and is not medical advice. Abbreviation use varies between institutions; always confirm in context.