Anatomical pathology laboratory processes

This article gives an overview of anatomical pathology laboratory processes, simply lab processes.

Processes

1. Accessioning.
   • Laboratory assistant:
     • Data entry - clinical history.
     • +/-Case assignment.
2. Grossing.
   • Pathology assistant/pathology resident/pathologist.
     • Gross report.
     • Tissue blocks.
3. Processing of tissue.
4. Embedding of tissue.
5. Cutting.
   • Histotechnologist.
     • Slides.
6. Staining.
   • Routinue stains.
   • Special stains.
   • Immunostains.
7. Case assembly and distribution.
8. Diagnosis.
   • Pathologist.
     • Tasks:
       • More tissue.
       • Levels/deepers.
       • Special stains.
       • Immunostains.
       • Write report.
         • Consult other pathologists - in house of outside.
         • Discuss with clinician.

Data elements

Prior to arrival to the lab

• Patient identifier, i.e. medial record number (MRN) or medical care plan (MCP) number.
  • First name.
  • Middle name(s).
  • Last name.
  • Date of birth.
  • Sex.
• Clinician identifiers.
  • Who ordered the test.
  • Where the case is sent to - ordering physician, other physicians.
• Specimen descriptors:
  • How many parts, i.e. how many containers.
    • One container = at least on diagnosis.
    • Anatomical site of the parts, e.g. kidney biopsy.

The above information is all contained on the requisition.

Accessioning

• Case identifier, e.g. 12:SU123.
  • 12 = year.
  • SU = surgical case.
  • 123 = case number.

See also

• Quality.
• Fixation.