National Guideline Clearinghouse | Uniform labeling of blocks and slides in surgical pathology: guideline from the College of American Pathologists Pathology and Laboratory Quality Center and the National Society for Histotechnology.

National Guideline Clearinghouse | Uniform labeling of blocks and slides in surgical pathology: guideline from the College of American Pathologists Pathology and Laboratory Quality Center and the National Society for Histotechnology.

College of American Pathologists

• Uniform labeling of blocks and slides in surgical pathology: guideline from the College of American Pathologists Pathology and Laboratory Quality Center and the National Society for Histotechnology.

Guideline Title Uniform labeling of blocks and slides in surgical pathology: guideline from the College of American Pathologists Pathology and Laboratory Quality Center and the National Society for Histotechnology. Bibliographic Source(s) Brown RW, Della Speranza V, Alvarez JO, Eisen RN, Frishberg DP, Rosai J, Santiago J, Tunnicliffe J, Colasacco C, Lacchetti C, Thomas NE. Uniform labeling of blocks and slides in surgical pathology: guideline from the College of American Pathologists Pathology and Laboratory Quality Center and the National Society for Histotechnology. Arch Pathol Lab Med. 2015 Dec;139(12):1515-24. [22 references] PubMed  Guideline Status This is the current release of the guideline. This guideline meets NGC's 2013 (revised) inclusion criteria.

-----

Uniform Labeling of Blocks and Slides in Surgical Pathology: Guideline From the College of American Pathologists Pathology and Laboratory Quality C... - PubMed - NCBI

Arch Pathol Lab Med. 2015 Dec;139(12):1515-24. doi: 10.5858/arpa.2014-0340-SA. Epub 2015 Apr 21.

Uniform Labeling of Blocks and Slides in Surgical Pathology: Guideline From the College of American Pathologists Pathology and Laboratory Quality Center and the National Society for Histotechnology.

Brown RW1, Della Speranza V, Alvarez JO, Eisen RN, Frishberg DP, Rosai J, Santiago J, Tunnicliffe J, Colasacco C, Lacchetti C, Thomas NE.

Author information

Abstract

CONTEXT:

The labeling of paraffin blocks and microscopic glass slides in the practice of surgical pathology varies from institution to institution and introduces potential risk of preanalytic error. Currently there are no evidence-based guidelines regarding the uniform labeling of these materials.

OBJECTIVE:

To develop recommendations that will address the need for adequate patient identification and provide a consistent method of identifying slides originating from a particular block.

DESIGN:

- The College of American Pathologists Pathology and Laboratory Quality Center and the National Society for Histotechnology convened a panel of pathologists and histotechnologists with expertise in histology laboratory quality practices to develop labeling recommendations. A systematic evidence review was conducted to address 6 main key questions. Recommendations were derived from strength of evidence, open comment feedback, and expert panel consensus.

RESULTS:

Twelve guideline statements were established to assist pathology laboratories in developing standardized block and slide labeling practices. These guidelines call for the use of 2 patient identifiers, 1 of which includes the accession number and case type, on all paraffin blocks and slides. Recommendations were also developed to address the order and format in which identifying elements should appear.

CONCLUSIONS:

Uniform labeling of paraffin blocks and slides derived from patient specimens will provide an important enhancement to patient safety by assuring that all preparations derived from a patient's tissue can be uniquely and unambiguously linked to that patient. Adoption of standardized practices additionally will improve patient care by facilitating interpretation of histologic sections when they are referred in consultation to a second institution.

PMID:

 

25897820

 

[PubMed - in process]