Timeliness of surgical pathology results: a departmental audit of histopathological services

Aim To determine the turnaround time (TAT) for surgical pathology specimens (SPS) seen in our department and to identify the various determinants (variables) that affect it. Materials and method This is a cross-sectional descriptive study (prospective) of all SPS that were sent to the histopathology laboratory of University of Uyo Teaching Hospital (UUTH). A special proforma/questionnaire was designed for this study taking into account the various stages of converting a histopathological request to a result. Results Following specimen accessioning, the mean number of days before grossing was 1.65 ± 0.97 days. Tissue processing took a mean of 2.30 ± 2.05 days. Many of the processed SPS (histopathological slides) were reviewed and reported by histopathology resident doctors and consultant histopathologists within second and third days after processing in the laboratory (24.1% and 23.2% respectively), with a mean of 5.18 ± 13.07 days. Typing of result and verification of result took a mean of 2.99 ± 13.16 days. The shortest time interval to transform a histological request to a standard result was four days while the mean TAT was 8.47 ± 3.34 days. There was a significant correlation between the histological diagnosis and TAT. Conclusion Overnight fixation should be limited to large operating room specimens and not generalised. Provision of automated tissue processor, multi-headed and projecting microscopes will improve the TAT. All laboratory staff should be made to know that each stained glass slide represents a living patient and that the results are awaited.