A wireless network avoids delays in receiving status reports by having transmitters make sure that any outstanding Hybrid Automatic Repeat-reQuest (HARQ) processes in progress are all finished before sending the polling request. Thus, the receiver can respond to any polling request of the transmitter immediately without delay. Since the transmitter already ensures all HARQ processes are done, the receiver's status report will accurately reflect the latest information. The transmitter may send a poll anytime regardless of the HARQ processes if the most up-to-date polling is determined to be not as important (e.g., when the transmitter is trying to advance its transmitter window, in which case the exact Status info is not critical). The receiver may then react immediate upon receiving the poll. Thereby, detecting the loss of any piece of data within a data burst is expedited.