Pathology Service

What is Pathology Collection?

Pathology collection refers to collecting and preparing tissue or fluid samples for analysis in a laboratory setting. A pathologist then examines these samples to determine the presence, severity, and nature of disease or abnormality. Pathology collection is essential to the diagnostic process, providing valuable information that guides treatment decisions and improves patient outcomes.

Importance of Pathology Collection

Pathology collection is a critical component of the healthcare system, providing valuable information that guides diagnosis, treatment, and research efforts.

The objectives of pathology collection are to:

Diagnose diseases: Pathology collection is primarily used to diagnose diseases or abnormalities in tissues and bodily fluids. Examining samples collected during pathology collection provides valuable information about the disease's presence, nature, and severity, which is used to make informed decisions about patient care.
Monitor disease progression: Pathology collection can help monitor a disease's progression over time. This information is used to adjust treatment plans and to determine whether the treatment is working or if alternative treatment options need to be explored.
Guide treatment decisions: Pathology collection is crucial in guiding treatment decisions. The information gathered during pathology collection helps healthcare professionals decide which treatment options are best suited for the patient.
Facilitate research: Pathology collection is essential in research, as it provides valuable insights into disease mechanisms, disease progression, and potential treatments. These insights can lead to the development of new diagnostic tools and treatments, improving patient outcomes and quality of life.
Identify potential health risks: Pathology collection can detect potential health risks, allowing for early intervention and treatment, which can improve patient outcomes. For example, pathology collection can identify precancerous cells or markers of a genetic disorder, allowing for timely treatment and improved chances of survival.

Types of Pathology Collection

There are several types of pathology collection, including:

Surgical Pathology Collection: Involves the removal of tissue samples during surgery. The samples are examined to diagnose diseases or abnormalities.
Cytopathology Collection: Involves the collection of cells from various body fluids or organs using a needle or other specialised device. The samples are examined to diagnose cancer, infections, and other diseases.
Hematopathology Collection: Involves the examination of blood, bone marrow, and lymph nodes for the diagnosis and treatment of haematological diseases, such as leukaemia and lymphoma.
Molecular Pathology Collection: Involves the analysis of DNA, RNA, and proteins for diagnosing and treating genetic and infectious diseases. The samples are examined to identify mutations, gene expression patterns, and other molecular changes that indicate disease.
Autopsy Pathology Collection: Involves the examination of tissues and organs after death to determine the cause of death and identify any diseases or abnormalities that may have contributed to it.
Forensic Pathology Collection: Involves the examination of tissues and bodily fluids for legal purposes, such as determining the cause of death in cases of homicide or identifying the presence of drugs or toxins in the body.

These different types of pathology collection allow healthcare professionals to diagnose diseases, monitor disease progression, and develop effective treatment plans to improve patient outcomes.

Pathology Collection Procedure

The pathology collection procedure involves three main phases:

Pre-analytical Phase includes patient preparation, sample collection, and sample transportation and storage. It is critical to ensure that the sample is collected and handled correctly to prevent contamination, misidentification, or other errors that can compromise the accuracy of the results.
Analytical Phase involves sample processing, microscopic examination, immunohistochemistry, and special stains. These techniques help to identify cellular and tissue changes that indicate the presence of disease or abnormality.
Post-analytical Phase includes result reporting, result interpretation, and quality control. Ensuring that the results are accurate and reliable and any discrepancies are promptly addressed is essential.

Importance of Pre-analytical Phase

The pre-analytical phase is the most critical in pathology collection. It is where most errors occur, which can compromise the accuracy and reliability of the results. Proper patient identification, sample collection, and sample handling are essential to prevent errors that can lead to false-positive or false-negative results.

Patient Preparation: Before sample collection, patients must be prepared properly to minimise the risk of contamination or other errors. This includes providing patients specific instructions on preparing for the test, such as fasting or avoiding certain medications.
Sample Collection: Proper sample collection is essential to ensure that the results are accurate and reliable. The samples must be collected using the appropriate equipment, stored in the correct container, and labelled with the correct patient information.
Sample Transportation and Storage: Samples must be transported to the laboratory promptly and stored correctly to prevent degradation or contamination. This includes maintaining appropriate temperature and humidity conditions and minimising exposure to light and other environmental factors affecting sample quality.

Analytical Phase

The analytical phase involves examining the samples to identify any cellular or tissue changes that indicate the presence of disease or abnormality. This phase includes sample processing, microscopic examination, immunohistochemistry, and special stains. These techniques help identify the disease's type and severity and guide treatment decisions.

Post-analytical Phase

The post-analytical phase involves result reporting, result interpretation, and quality control. Ensuring that the results are accurate and reliable and any discrepancies are promptly addressed is essential.

Result Reporting: The results of the pathology collection are reported to the doctor who ordered the test. The report should include all relevant information about the patient and the sample, the tests performed, and the results obtained. The report may also include any comments or recommendations by the pathologist based on the findings.
Result Interpretation: The doctor will interpret the results in the context of the patient's medical history and symptoms. This interpretation may involve consultation with other specialists or additional testing to confirm or rule out a diagnosis. The doctor will then use this information to develop the patient's diagnosis and treatment plan.
Quality Control: Quality control measures are essential to ensure the laboratory performs accurately and meets the required standards. This may involve using proficiency testing programs, which test the laboratory's ability to analyse samples accurately, or internal quality control measures, which monitor the laboratory's performance over time. Quality control measures also help to identify and address any errors or discrepancies in the testing process.

The post-analytical phase is a critical part of the pathology collection process that ensures the accuracy and reliability of the results. Quality control measures, result reporting, and result interpretation are essential to ensuring that doctors receive the information they need to make informed decisions about patient care. Completing the post-analytical phase provides valuable information for diagnosing, treating, and developing new research and diagnostic tools.

Common Errors in Pathology Collection

Despite strict adherence to protocols, errors can occur during pathology collection that can compromise the accuracy and reliability of the results. Here are some common errors in pathology collection:

Patient Identification Errors: Errors in patient identification can lead to incorrect or mixed-up results. It is essential to verify the patient's identity using two unique identifiers, such as name and date of birth or patient ID number.
Sample Labelling Errors: Labelling errors occur when samples are incorrectly labelled with incorrect patient information or mixed up with other samples. Labelling the samples correctly with the patient's name, date of birth, and other identifying information is crucial.
Sample Collection Errors: Errors in sample collection can lead to contaminated or insufficient samples, which can compromise the accuracy of the results. It is crucial to use the correct equipment and techniques to collect the sample and to follow the appropriate storage and transportation protocols to ensure sample integrity.
Inadequate Sample Preparation: Inadequate sample preparation can lead to suboptimal or unusable samples, which can compromise the accuracy of the results. Proper preparation and handling of the sample are essential to ensure that the sample is of sufficient quality for analysis.
Technical Errors: Technical errors can occur during the analytical phase, such as errors in staining or interpretation. Maintaining rigorous quality control measures is essential to ensure the laboratory performs accurately and meets the required standards.
Communication Errors: Communication errors can occur between the laboratory and the doctor, such as errors in reporting or misinterpreting results. Clear and accurate communication is essential to ensure the correct information is conveyed and the results are interpreted correctly.

Common errors in pathology collection can compromise the accuracy and reliability of the results, leading to incorrect diagnosis, treatment, and patient outcomes. Strict adherence to protocols, quality control measures, and clear communication between the laboratory and doctor can help minimise these errors and ensure patients receive the best care.