TY - JOUR

T1 - Implementation of a new rapid tissue processing method--advantages and challenges

AU - Munkholm, Julie

AU - Talman, Maj-Lis

AU - Hasselager, Thomas

PY - 2008/1/1

Y1 - 2008/1/1

N2 - Conventional tissue processing of histologic specimens has been carried out in the same manner for many years. It is a time-consuming process involving batch production, resulting in a 1-day delay of the diagnosis. Microwave-assisted tissue processing enables a continuous high flow of histologic specimens through the processor with a processing time of as low as 1h. In this article, we present the effects of the automated microwave-assisted tissue processor on the histomorphologic quality and the turnaround time (TAT) for histopathology reports. We present a blind comparative study regarding the histomorphologic quality of microwave-processed and conventionally processed tissue samples. A total of 333 specimens were included. The microwave-assisted processing method showed a histomorphologic quality comparable to the conventional method for a number of tissue types, including skin and specimens from the gastrointestinal, urogenital, and female genital tract. We studied the TAT for all histologic specimens received in a period of six consecutive weeks in 2006 and 2007, respectively. We found a positive impact on TATs after introducing microwave-assisted processing in the laboratory. Turnaround times, in general, were improved, and same-day-reporting, in particular, showed an increase from 0% to 15%.

AB - Conventional tissue processing of histologic specimens has been carried out in the same manner for many years. It is a time-consuming process involving batch production, resulting in a 1-day delay of the diagnosis. Microwave-assisted tissue processing enables a continuous high flow of histologic specimens through the processor with a processing time of as low as 1h. In this article, we present the effects of the automated microwave-assisted tissue processor on the histomorphologic quality and the turnaround time (TAT) for histopathology reports. We present a blind comparative study regarding the histomorphologic quality of microwave-processed and conventionally processed tissue samples. A total of 333 specimens were included. The microwave-assisted processing method showed a histomorphologic quality comparable to the conventional method for a number of tissue types, including skin and specimens from the gastrointestinal, urogenital, and female genital tract. We studied the TAT for all histologic specimens received in a period of six consecutive weeks in 2006 and 2007, respectively. We found a positive impact on TATs after introducing microwave-assisted processing in the laboratory. Turnaround times, in general, were improved, and same-day-reporting, in particular, showed an increase from 0% to 15%.

KW - Histocytological Preparation Techniques

KW - Humans

KW - Microwaves

KW - Pathology, Clinical

KW - Time Factors

U2 - 10.1016/j.prp.2008.07.005

DO - 10.1016/j.prp.2008.07.005

M3 - Journal article

C2 - 18789605

VL - 204

SP - 899

EP - 904

JO - Pathology, Research and Practice

JF - Pathology, Research and Practice

SN - 0344-0338

IS - 12

ER -