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2011, Volume 27, Number 3, Page(s) 235-245
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DOI: 10.5146/tjpath.2011.01081 |
Pathology Laboratories Productivity Evaluation in Turkey |
Kutsal YÖRÜKOĞLU1, Sarp ÜNER2, Fevzi HARORLU3, Alp USUBÜTÜN4 |
1Department of Pathology, Dokuz Eylül University, Faculty of Medicine, İZMİR, TURKEY 2Department of Public Health Hacettepe University, Faculty of Medicine, ANKARA, TURKEY 3Department of Pathology, Bursa Ali Osman Sönmez Oncology Hospital, BURSA, TURKEY 4Department of Pathology, Hacettepe University, Faculty of Medicine, ANKARA, TURKEY |
Keywords:
Pathology, Laboratory, Workflow, Productivity, Automation, Survey |
Objective: Efficiency criteria and automation in pathology laboratories
have been set in a limited number of studies usually originated from
the United States. A questionnaire has been prepared to determine
the situation and define the criteria for adaptation in our country.
Material and Method: The survey was sent to all pathology
laboratories and, 302 responded. The survey questionned of
pathology laboratories efficiencies, staff workloads, methods applied,
devices used, and physical conditions. Work flow productivity
was obtained by dividing the annual number of blocks to working
hours multiplied by the number of technicians. The hospitals were
categorized to 3 groups according to providing training or not and
privacy, and to 4 groups according to the annual biopsy numbers.
The data entered through the SPSS 16.0 statistical package program,
analysis of distribution criteria, significance of the difference between
means tests were used.
Results: The annual biopsy numbers were significantly higher
in education units, but below the limit of productivity levels for
all laboratories. The device hardware and automation correlated
with annual biopsy numbers. However, the laboratories of
limited capacity have redundant automation. Histochemical and
immunohistochemical staining numbers were high. Liquid-based
cytology techniques were used more significantly in private hospitals.
Archiving times were not standard. A serious shortage of working
space in service hospitals was noted. Work flow productivity in
education units was at the border, and low in other units.
Conclusion: All pathology laboratories in our country should define
and improve their productivities. Formalizing of archiving times is
very important for future malpractice lawsuits.
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