Error Reduction and Prevention in Surgical Pathology

1. Front Matter

   Pages i-viii

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2. Introduction

   • Raouf E. Nakhleh

   Pages 1-2

3. The Landscape of Error in Surgical Pathology

   • Frederick A. Meier

   Pages 3-26

4. General Principles of How Errors Occur and How They May Be Reduced

   • Maxwell L. Smith, Stephen S. Raab

   Pages 27-39

5. Pre-analytic Factors Contributing to Errors and Error Prevention

   1. Front Matter

      Pages 41-41

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   2. Error Reduction in the Preanalytical Process

      • Richard W. Brown

      Pages 43-58

   3. Application of Lean Principles to Preanalytic and Analytic Processes

      • Anil Vasdev Parwani, Seung Lyung Park, Liron Pantanowitz

      Pages 59-82

6. Analytic Factors Contributing to Errors and Error Prevention

   1. Front Matter

      Pages 83-83

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   2. Clinical History and Clinical Correlation

      • Keith E. Volmar

      Pages 85-101

   3. Knowledge, Training, and Experience

      • Amelia Huck, Vania Nosé

      Pages 103-114

   4. Standardization of Diagnostic Terminology and Criteria: A Prelude for Error Reduction

      • Raouf E. Nakhleh

      Pages 115-125

   5. Ancillary Studies: Contribution to Error and Error Prevention

      • Paul E. Swanson

      Pages 127-147

   6. Optimization of Case Reviews in Different Practice Settings

      • Raouf E. Nakhleh

      Pages 149-159

7. Post-analytic Factors Leading to Errors and Error Prevention

   1. Front Matter

      Pages 161-161

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   2. The Complete Surgical Pathology Report

      • Michael O. Idowu

      Pages 163-184

   3. Communicating Effectively in Surgical Pathology

      • Carolyn Mies

      Pages 185-195

   4. Error Prevention in Transcription and Report Distribution

      • Shannon J. McCall

      Pages 197-208

   5. Error Management: Legal and Regulatory Responsibilities

      • Timothy Craig Allen

      Pages 209-220

8. Back Matter

   Pages 221-223

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Tissue diagnosis in surgical pathology is the most important determinant of patient outcomes in oncology and other medical conditions. An appropriate diagnosis of a tumor correctly determines the necessary therapy for that patient. Error Reduction and Prevention in Surgical Pathology focuses on how errors happen, the best systems to detect errors and the best systems to prevent errors. As with any form of testing, the test cycle in surgical pathology can be divided into pre-analytic (collection and handling of specimens), analytic (the actual determination of disease or other diagnostic information) and post-analytic (generation of reports and distribution). Error can occur anywhere in the process and all of these steps must be performed optimally so that the correct diagnosis is made and delivered. Error Reduction and Prevention in Surgical Pathology serves as an essential guide to a successfully managed laboratory and contains all relevant information needed to manage patients and deliver the best diagnosis.

• Error occurrence
• Malignancy
• Post-analytic
• Pre-analytic
• Tissue diagnosis
• Tumor diagnosis

• Pathology, Mayo Clinic Jacksonville, Jacksonville, USA

  Raouf E. Nakhleh

Raouf E. Nakhleh, MD

Professor of Pathology

Mayo Clinic Florida

Jacksonville, Florida USA

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