China ; Humans ; Pathology Department, Hospital ; standards ; Quality Control

Autopsy ; Biopsy ; Pathology ; education ; Pathology Department, Hospital ; organization & administration ; Pathology, Surgical ; methods ; Quality Control

OBJECTIVETo analyze the influence of prelaboratory and intralaboratory factors on the turnaround time of the reports in order to develop a reference database for continuous quality improvement, a retrospective study of the timeliness was reported.

METHODSUsing cluster sampling of a total of 5,979 pathology reports selected by sampling a single month's reports from each quarter of the year 2000, of which there were 5,250 cases from routine biopsy and 729 cases from operative specimen. The timeliness and the factors that influence the turnaround time of the two types of surgical pathology reports were analyzed.

RESULTS4,872 pathology reports of 5,250 routine biopsy cases were completed in 3 working days, and 613 of 729 cases of the operative specimens were completed in 4 working days. The percentage was 92.8% and 84.1% respectively. Factors that significantly contributed to the increase in turnover time of biopsy reports included request of immunohistochemical staining, delayed arrival of the operative specimen at the laboratory after frozen section, additional recutting, intradepartment consultation and decalcification etc. As for the operative cases, several factors were associated with delayed report: second day arrival of the operative specimen at the laboratory after frozen section, lack of the adequate clinical history, request for immunohistochemical staining etc.

CONCLUSIONSThe majority of surgical pathology reports in the department can be completed timely and the timeliness meets the general standard. Only about 10 percent of the reports were delayed because of some prelaboratory and intralaboratory factors, for which there were 33.5% and 66.5% respectively for routine biopsy, and 50.9% and 49.1% respectively for operative specimen.

Humans ; Pathology Department, Hospital ; Pathology, Surgical ; Quality Control ; Retrospective Studies ; Time Factors

OBJECTIVETo investigate the factors related to delay in pathology reporting and to improve the quality of pathology service.

METHODSA total of 24 months pathology reports (total number = 21,038) issued by Department of Pathology, Dongyang People's Hospital (randomly selected during the period from 1999 to 2006) were analyzed. The timeliness of these reports was studied with respect to the types of specimens (biopsy versus surgical versus frozen section). The causes for delay in reporting were statistically analyzed.

RESULTSAmong all the cases studied, 19,579 reports were timely issued (timeliness rate = 93.06%), whereas 1459 reports were delayed (delay rate = 6.94%). Of the 1459 delayed reports, routine biopsy specimens accounted for 6.02% (665/11,052), surgical specimens for 7.26% (643/8858) and frozen section specimens for 13.39% (151/1128). The main causes for delay in reporting were technical (1158 cases or 79.37%), including requests of immunohistochemical staining, intradepartmental or external consultation, patient contact and discussion with requesting clinicians. Factors related to responsibility, such as inadequate clinical information in the pathology request forms, were identified in 301 cases (20.63%). The delay in reporting was mainly due to factors occurring within the pathology department (which accounted for 1048 cases or 71.83% (P < 0.05) and most were technical (1017 cases or 97.04%). Extradepartmental factors, mainly related to responsibility, were noted in 270 cases (65.69%, chi2 = 709.59, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONFactors related to delay in pathology reporting can be categorized into technical and responsibility. The former can be rectified by improvement of laboratory procedures, while the latter needs education of the personnel concerned.

Biopsy ; Forms and Records Control ; Frozen Sections ; Humans ; Pathology Department, Hospital ; Pathology, Surgical ; Quality Control ; Random Allocation ; Time Factors

China ; Pathology Department, Hospital ; manpower ; organization & administration ; standards ; Pathology, Clinical ; organization & administration ; standards ; Quality Assurance, Health Care ; organization & administration

The National Blood Center, Kuala Lumpur interprets laboratory results for the von Willebrand factor (VWF) profile based on guidelines which were established based on the Caucasian population. The VWF profiles among the Malay population has not yet been established. The current study aims to determine the VWF profiles of the different ABO blood types among Malays and to evaluate their association with demographic characteristics and smoking habits. Methods: One hundred and forty Malay donors were involved. Factor VIII (FVIII:C), VWF antigen (VWF:Ag), and ristocetin cofactor (VWF:RiCof) levels and collagen binding activity (VWF:CBA) were measured by coagulometric clot detection, latex agglutination, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results: The majority of donors (59.3%) were 30–49 years old, male (81.43%), non-smokers (74.3%), and overweight (71.4%). The Malay VWF:Ag were slightly higher than those of Caucasians, Indians, Thais, and Chinese, but the average ratios of VWF activity (i.e., VWF:RiCof level and VWF:CBA) to VWF:Ag were slightly lower than those of the other populations. The highest level of VWF:Ag was found among those with the B blood group, followed by types A and O. Conclusion: Malays with type O blood had lower values of the components of the VWF profile compared to subjects with non-O blood. The higher levels of these elements and lower VWF activity to VWF:Ag ratio in Malays compared to other populations suggest that ethnicity impacts the plasma VWF levels and their interaction with collagen and platelets.
Medical Transfusion Unit, Pathology Department, Hospital Sultan Ismail, Johor Bahru, Malaysia. 2 National Blood Center, Jalan Tun Razak, 50400, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. 3 Regenerative Medicine Cluster, Advanced Medical and Dental Institute, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Bertam, 13200 Kepala Batas, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia

AIMTo examine what impact the loss of funding had on the utilization of the oral pathology service.

METHODOLOGYBiopsy records were retrieved and examined in the two year period before and after the elimination of the subsidies in 2003.

RESULTSAfter the loss of funding, there was a 31% decrease in the number of specimens submitted from practitioners in private practice, with the greatest drop noted in submissions from endodontists.

CONCLUSIONDespite the immediate decrease in the number of biopsies submitted after the introduction of fee-for-service, the number of specimens being submitted appears to be on the rise again, as practitioners appear to recognize the value of a specialized oral pathology diagnostic service.

Biopsy ; economics ; utilization ; Diagnosis, Oral ; economics ; Diagnostic Services ; economics ; utilization ; Endodontics ; Fee-for-Service Plans ; economics ; utilization ; Financial Support ; General Practice, Dental ; Humans ; Pathology Department, Hospital ; economics ; Pathology, Oral ; economics ; Periodontics ; Private Practice ; utilization ; Retrospective Studies ; Schools, Dental ; economics ; Specimen Handling ; economics ; utilization ; Surgery, Oral