[Analysis of the workload in medical time according to the degree of complexity of the samples and proposal of an algorithm for the equitable distribution of the workload in an anatomic pathology department]. / Análisis de la carga laboral en tiempo médico en función del grado de complejidad de las muestras y propuesta de algoritmo para la distribución equitativa del trabajo asistencial en un servicio de anatomía patológica.

INTRODUCTION: In a pathological anatomy service, the workload in medical time is analyzed based on the complexity of the samples received and its distribution among pathologists is assessed, presenting a new computer algorithm that favors an equitable distribution. METHODS: Following the second edition of the Spanish guidelines for the estimation of workload in cytopathology and histopathology (medical time) according to the Spanish Pathology Society-International Academy of Pathology (SEAP-IAP) catalog of samples and procedures, we determined the workload units (UCL) per pathologist and the overall UCL of the service, the average workload of the service (MU factor), the time dedicated by each pathologist to healthcare activity and the optimal number of pathologists according to the workload of the service. RESULTS: We determined 12 197 total annual UCL for the chief pathologist, as well as 14 702 and 13 842 UCL for associate pathologists, with an overall of 40 742 UCL for the whole service. The calculated MU factor is 4.97. The chief pathologist devoted 72.25% of his working day to healthcare activity while associate pathologists dedicated 87.09% and 82.01% of their working hours. The optimal number of pathologists for the service is found to be 3.55. CONCLUSIONS: The results demonstrate medical work overload and a non-equitable distribution of UCLs among pathologists. We propose a computer algorithm capable of distributing the workload in an equitable manner. It would be associated with the laboratory information system and take into account the type of specimen, its complexity and the dedication of each pathologist to healthcare activity.

Workload Measurement in Subspecialty Placental Pathology in Canada.

BACKGROUND: Workload measurement is important to help determine optimal staffing and workload distribution for pathology laboratories. The Level 4 Equivalent (L4E) System is the most widely used Anatomical Pathology (AP) workload measurement tool in Canada. However, it was initially not developed with subspecialties in mind. METHODS: In 2016, a Pan-Canadian Pediatric-Perinatal Pathology Workload Committee (PCPPPWC) was organized to adapt the L4E System to assess Pediatric-Perinatal Pathology workload. Four working groups were formed. The Placental Pathology Working Group was tasked to develop a scheme for fair valuation of placental specimens signed out by subspecialists in the context of the L4E System. Previous experience, informal time and motion studies, a survey of Canadian Pediatric-Perinatal Pathologists, and interviews of Pathologists' Assistants (PA) informed the development of such scheme. RESULTS: A workload measurement scheme with average L4E workload values for examination and reporting of singleton and multiple gestation placentas was proposed. The proposal was approved by the Canadian Association of Pathologist - Association canadienne des pathologistes Workload and Human Resources Committee for adoption into the L4E System. CONCLUSION: The development of a workload measurement model for placental specimens provides an average and fair valuation of these specimen types, enabling its use for resource planning and workload distribution.

Quantification of airborne SARS-CoV-2 genomic particles in different hospital settings.

We quantified the presence of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in the air of different hospital settings and the autopsy room of the largest medical centre in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Real-time reverse-transcription PCR was used to determine the presence of the envelope protein of SARS-CoV-2 and the nucleocapsid protein genes. The E-gene was detected in 5 out of 6 samples at the ICU-COVID-19 ward and in 5 out of 7 samples at the ward-COVID-19. Similarly, in the non-dedicated facilities, the E-gene was detected in 5 out of 6 samples collected in the ICU and 4 out of 7 samples in the ward. In the necropsy room, 6 out of 7 samples were positive for the E-gene. When both wards were compared, the non-COVID ward presented a significantly higher concentration of the E-gene than in the COVID-19 ward (p = 0.003). There was no significant difference in E-gene concentration between the ICU-COVID-19 and the ICU (p = 0.548). Likewise, there was no significant difference among E-gene concentrations found in the autopsy room versus the ICUs and wards (dedicated or not) (p = 0.245). Our results show the widespread presence of aerosol contamination in different hospital units.

How Do Pathologists in Academic Institutions Across the United States and Canada Evaluate Sentinel Lymph Nodes in Breast Cancer? A Practice Survey.

OBJECTIVES: There are little data on how changes in the clinical management of axillary lymph nodes in breast cancer have influenced pathologist evaluation of sentinel lymph nodes. METHODS: A 14-question survey was sent to Canadian and US breast pathologists at academic institutions (AIs). RESULTS: Pathologists from 23 AIs responded. Intraoperative evaluation (IOE) is performed for selected cases in 9 AIs, for almost all in 10, and not performed in 4. Thirteen use frozen sections (FSs) alone. During IOE, perinodal fat is completely trimmed in 8, not trimmed in 9, and variable in 2. For FS, in 12 the entire node is submitted at 2-mm intervals. Preferred plane of sectioning is parallel to the long axis in 8 and perpendicular in 12. In 11, a single H&E slide is obtained, whereas 12 opt for multiple levels. In 11, cytokeratin is obtained if necessary, and immunostains are routine in 10. Thirteen consider tumor cells in pericapsular lymphatics as lymphovascular invasion (LVI), and 10 consider it isolated tumor cells (ITCs). CONCLUSIONS: There is dichotomy in practice with near-equal support for routine vs case-by-case multilevel/immunostain evaluation, perpendicular vs parallel sectioning, complete vs incomplete fat removal, and tumor in pericapsular lymphatics as LVI vs ITCs.

Digital Pathology Initiatives and Experience of a Large Academic Institution During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Pandemic.

CONTEXT.­: Pathology practices have begun integrating digital pathology tools into their routine workflow. During 2020, the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), emerged as a pandemic, causing a global health crisis that significantly affected the world population in several areas, including medical practice, and pathology was no exception. OBJECTIVE.­: To summarize our experience in implementing digital pathology for remote primary diagnosis, education, and research during this pandemic. DESIGN.­: We surveyed our pathologists (all subspecialized) and trainees to gather information about their use of digital pathology tools before and during the pandemic. Quality assurance and slide distribution data were also examined. RESULTS.­: During the pandemic, the widespread use of digital tools in our institution allowed a smooth transition of most clinical and academic activities into remote with no major disruptions. The number of pathologists using whole slide imaging (WSI) for primary diagnosis increased from 20 (62.5%) to 29 (90.6%) of a total of 32 pathologists, excluding renal pathology and hematopathology, during the pandemic. Furthermore, the number of pathologists exclusively using whole slide imaging for primary diagnosis also increased from 2 (6.3%) to 5 (15.6%) during the pandemic. In 35 (100%) survey responses from attending pathologists, 21 (60%) reported using whole slide imaging for remote primary diagnosis following the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services waiver. Of these 21 pathologists, 18 (86%) responded that if allowed, they will continue using whole slide imaging for remote primary diagnosis after the pandemic. CONCLUSIONS.­: The pandemic served as a catalyst to pathologists adopting a digital workflow into their daily practice and realizing the logistic and technical advantages of such tools.

Prueba diagnóstica entre la citología, biopsia por congelación e histopatología en el diagnóstico del Nódulo Tiroideo en pacientes atendidos en Solca desde el año 2009 ­2017 / Diagnostic Test between cytology, frozen biopsy and histopathology in the diagnosisof the thyroid nodule in patients treated at Solca from 2009 -2017

Introducción: La citología de nódulos tiroideos es una técnica que, evita procedimientos quirúrgicos innecesarios por lo que se lo ha determinado como primera línea dentro del algoritmo de diagnóstico, el objetivo del estudio fue determinar la sensibilidad y la especificidad de la citología y biopsia por congelación frente al estudio histopatológico en el diagnóstico de nódulos tiroideos en pacientes atendidos en Solca desde el año 2009 -2017. Métodos: Es un estudio de tipo observacional, retrospectivo y de correlación diagnóstica; los datos fueron obtenidos de las historias clínicas de pacientes intervenidos quirúrgicamente por nódulos tiroideos con biopsia por congelación, a quienes se les realizó previamente un estudio citológico en el Departamento de patología de SOLCA de la ciudad de Cuenca, Ecuador. El cálculo del tamaño de la muestra fue de 324 casos. Resultados:324 casos fueron incluidos. El 8.3% correspondió a hombres y el 91.7% a mujeres. La media de la edad fue 51.8 años; la gran mayoría provenían de la provincia Azuay con el 64.8%. En los estudios citológicos el 34.6% (112 casos)corresponden a lesiones inflamatorias benignas; el 11.1% [36 casos]a patologías malignas y 14.2% (46 casos)fueron insatisfactorios. En la biopsia por congelación el mayor porcentaje estuvo concentrado en enfermedades benignas con un 62.6% y 35.5% a lesiones malignas. Hubo 6 casos con el 1.9% en donde fue diferido el criterio diagnóstico. En el histopatológico definitivo el 60.2% (195 casos)fueron patologías benignas y el 39.8% (129 casos)fueron lesiones malignas. La sensibilidad de la PAAF frente a histopatológico es alta con un 91.79%, pero la especificidad es baja con un 51.94%. La sensibilidad y la especificidad de la biopsia por congelación frente a histopatológico es alta con un 98.97% y 90.70% respectivamente lo que le confiere una metodología óptima. Conclusiones: La PAAF de tiroides demuestra ser una metodología útil en el diagnóstico de nódulos, siempre y cuando sea realizada y observada por personal capacitado. La biopsia por congelación constituye una técnica con alta sensibilidad y especificidad que nos permite discriminar lesiones benignas de las malignas. Palabras claves: Nódulo tiroideo, Biopsia con Aguja, Servicio de Patología en Hospital, Oncología Médica, Agencias Voluntarias de Salud, Biología Celular, Biopsia con Aguja Fina

Introduction:Cytology of thyroid nodules is a technique that avoids unnecessary surgical procedures and has therefore been determined as the first line within the diagnostic algorithm.General Objective:To determine the sensitivity and specificity of cytology and freezing biopsy versus histopathological study in the diagnosis of thyroid nodules in patients treated in Solca since 2009 -2017. Methods:This is an observational, retrospective and diagnostic correlation study; the data were obtained from the clinical histories of patients surgically treated by thyroid nodules with freeze biopsy, who underwent a cytological study in the Department of pathology of the city of Cuenca, Ecuador. The calculation of the sample size was 324 cases. Results:8.3% corresponded to men and 91.7% to women. The mean age was 51.8 years; The vast majority came from the province of Azuay with 64.8%. In cytological studies, 34.6% [112 cases]correspond to benign inflammatory lesions; 11.1% [36 cases]to malignant pathologies and 14.2% [46 cases]were unsatisfactory. In the freeze biopsy the greater percentage was concentrated in benign diseases with 62.6% and 35.5% to malignant lesions. There were 6 cases with 1.9% where the diagnostic criterion was deferred. In the definitive histopathological, 60.2% [195 cases]were benign pathologies and 39.8% [129 cases]were malignant lesions. The sensitivity of FNAB to histopathological is high with 91.79%, but the specificity is low with 51.94%. The sensitivity and specificity of freezing versus histopathological biopsy is high with 98.97% and 90.70% respectively, which gives it an optimal methodology. Conclusions: Thyroid PAAF proves to be a useful methodology in the diagnosis of nodules, as long as it is performed and observed by trained personnel. Freezing biopsy is a technique with high sensitivity and specificity that allows us to discriminate benign from malignant lesions. Key words:Thyroid Nodule; Biopsy, Needle;Pathology Department, Hospital; Medical Oncology; Voluntary Health Agencies; Cell Biology; Biopsy, Fine-Needle

Autopsies of COVID-19 deceased? Absolutely!

Autopsies are an essential tool for understanding new diseases. Against this background, it is incomprehensible why there is great reluctance worldwide to perform autopsies on COVID-19 deceased patients. The article provides an overview of the status of the autopsy series published worldwide and shows the path taken by the city of Hamburg in Germany, where autopsies are ordered by the health authorities in the interests of disease control. The risk of infection posed by SARS-CoV-2-positive deceased persons may be overestimated. The scientific benefit that can be drawn from experience with autopsies and further examination of tissue samples is immeasurable.

The Anatomic Pathology laboratory adjustments in the era of COVID-19 pandemic: The experience of a laboratory in a Portuguese central hospital.

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has dramatically changed the world over the past weeks, with already 8,25 million infections and 445,000 deaths worldwide, leading to an unprecedented international global effort to contain the virus and prevent its spread. The emergence of novel respiratory viruses such as the SARS-CoV-2 creates dramatic challenges to the healthcare services, including surgical pathology laboratories, despite their extensive daily experience in dealing with biological and chemical hazards. Here, we cover important aspects on the knowledge on COVID-19 gathered during the first six months of the pandemic and address relevant issues on human biological sample handling in the Anatomic Pathology laboratory in the context of COVID-19 global threat. In addition, we detail our strategy to minimize the risk of contamination upon exposure to the different biological products received in the laboratory, which can be of general interest to other laboratories worldwide. Our approach has enabled a safe work environment for laboratory staff, while ensuring the maintenance of high quality standards of the work performed. In times of uncertainty and given the lack of specific guidelines directed at Anatomic Pathology services to better deal with the global COVID-19 public-health emergency, it is essential to share with the community rigorous methodologies that will enable us to better cope with probable novel waves of COVID-19 infection and other viruses that will possibly arise in the near future.

Disinfection of corona virus in histopathology laboratories.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS CoV-2/COVID-19) is a highly contagious and deadly disease caused by a virus belonging to the coronaviridae family. Researchers working in histopathology laboratories, dealing with morbid samples, are particularly vulnerable to infection unless they have very strong immunity. Hence, a proper precautionary protocol is required for the safety of the laboratory staff. The current review highlights the biological and physical agents that can be used to inactivate the virus and disinfect the surrounding environment in the laboratory.

Occupational Exposure and Risk Assessment of Formaldehyde in the Pathology Departments of Hospitals.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Exposure to formaldehyde has adverse effects on health both acutely and over the long term (e.g., carcinogenicity). The substance is widely used in pathology and histology departments.  This study focused on cancer risk of formaldehyde in pathology department of five hospitals in Rasht. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sampling and determination of formaldehyde in pathology department were carried out based on the NIOSH method of 3500. The working condition and working environment were investigated and a semi quantitative risk assessment were used to health risk assessment of formaldehyde and The individual lifetime cancer probability, which is defined as the increase in the probability of developing cancer during continuous exposure to an air pollutant were used to assess health risks with formaldehyde. RESULTS: The results showed that the exposure level of all subjects were higher than the Occupational Exposure Limit for 8 hours exposure time of formaldehyde. However, in the five occupational groups, the highest weekly exposure index was observed for the Lab Technicians (0.664 ppm) at Hospital no. 5, which could have been due to more daily working hours at this sampling site and a lack of adequate ventilation. The formaldehyde concentration was in the 0.0192 to 0.326 ppm ranges for five hospital pathology departments. The cancer risk ranged from 9.52×10-5 to 1.53×10-3, and it was greater than the WHO acceptable cancer risk level. CONCLUSIONS: The results of the risk assessments can be used for managing the chemical exposure of allocated resources for defining control actions. This process plays an important role in reducing the level of exposure to formaldehyde in pathology departments.
.

Role of duties related to COVID-19 suspected, probable and confirmed fatality cases / [Elhunytakkal kapcsolatos teendok COVID­19-gyanús, valószínusített és megerosített esetekben]

The outbreak caused by SARS-CoV-2 beta-coronavirus, first identified in Wuhan, China, was declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization on 11th March, 2020. In Hungary, the first confirmed COVID-19 case was reported on 4th March, 2020, and on 15th March, the first fatality related to the infection was announced. At the moment of the latter event, there was no central, standardized guideline, which could explain the necessary precautions, and provide an unequivocal description on how to handle the dead body. The procedure of transportation, storage, occurent autopsy or final disposition of the deceased raise a lot of questions, especially on how to carry out these tasks. Legislation related to infectious diseases and decedent management in general do not provide enough information on how to perform duties in a COVID-19 fatality case. The chief medical officer suspended the execution of autopsies, except in cases of unnatural death, since 19th March, however, the transportation and storage of fatalities can still be a problem. The Department of Pathology of the Healthcare Professional College of the Ministry of Human capacities published a procedure on recommended post-mortem duties on 21st March, but the suggested protocols only represent a narrow spectrum of international recommendations. Therefore supplementation may be necessary. Sadly, post-mortem protocols, in spite of their importance, are also underrepresented in the international literature. A further problem, wich makes adoptability difficult, is that available foreign guidelines and algorithms are optimized for different legislation, and organisations, resources not available in our country. In this article, besides providing a summary of literature, we would also like to make practical recommendations which may increase the safety of healthcare providers participating in the treatment or pathological duties with COVID-19 suspected, probable and confirmed cases. Orv Hetil. 2020; 161(17): 713­722.

Next-generation protein analysis in the pathology department.

Traditionally, immunohistochemistry (IHC) is used by pathologists to localise specific proteins or peptides in tissue slides. In the era of personalised medicine, however, molecular tissue analysis becomes indispensable for correct diagnosis, prognosis and therapeutic decision, not only on the DNA or mRNA level but also on the protein level. Combining molecular information with imaging presents many advantages. Therefore, matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionisation imaging mass spectrometry (MALDI IMS) is a promising technique to be added to the armamentarium of the pathologist. Here, we focus on the workflow, advantages and drawbacks of both MALDI IMS and IHC. We also briefly discuss a few other protein imaging modalities and give examples of applications.

National survey of anatomical pathology centres in Italy: the questionnaire.

OBJECTIVES: To obtain a picture of the work done in Italian anatomical pathology centres in 2014, and evaluate differences between the various centres in terms of the workloads of medical and non-medical staff. METHODS: A self-administered questionnaire designed by a SIAPEC working group was e-mailed to 256 centres and subsequently collected by the Anatomical Pathology Service of Bolzano. QlikView software was used to prepare the final database and check the quality of the data, which were processed using version 18.0 of SPSS for Windows statistical software. RESULTS: The questionnaire was completed by 120 of the centres (46.9%), which were staffed by a mean number of 6.6 physicians (range 1-24), 1.6 biologists (range 0-7), 10.8 laboratory technicians (range 2-47) and 2.2 administrative personnel (range 0-9). During 2014, the centres carried out a mean of 15,000 histology examinations (range 3,215-50,680), almost 11,700 immunohistochemistry examinations (range 0-54,359), and a mean of 1,471 molecular biology examinations (range 0-31,322) relating to a mean of 704 patients (range 0-9,434), and a mean of 16,509 cytology examinations (range 0-150,000) relating to 13,383 patients (range 0-120,000). Each centre physician issued a mean of 2,444 histology examinations reports (range 613-11,000); the ratio between the number of immunohistochemistry examinations and the number of histology examinations was 0.8 (range 0-2.7); and each laboratory technician had a mean overall annual workload of 3,072 histology, molecular biology and cytology examinations (range 793-9,882/year). These values varied widely among the participating centres. The mean ratio between the number of histology examinations carried out and the number of physicians was 1,982.77:1 a year in the small centres (< 10,000 histology cases/year), 2,627:1 a year in the medium-sized centres (10-24,999 histology cases/year), and 2,881.34:1 in the large centres (> 25,000 histology cases/year). There were significant differences between the small and medium-sized centres (p = 0.004) and between the small and large centres (p = 0.001), but not between the medium-sized and large centres.The ratio between the total number of histology, molecular biology and cytology examinations and the number of laboratory technicians was 1,963.34 in the small centres (< 10,000 examinations/year), 2,717.11 in the medium-sized centres (10,000-24,999 examinations/year), and 3,531.56 in the large centres (≥ 25,000 examinations/year). There were significant differences between the small and large centres (p = 0.001) and between the medium-sized and large centres (p = 0.004), but not between the small and medium-sized centres. CONCLUSIONS: The data collected by means of this survey provide an important, albeit partial, point of reference concerning the status of Italian anatomical pathology centres and their recent, everyday working situation.

Exploring trade-offs between staffing levels and turnaround time in a pathology laboratory using discrete event simulation.

Many health delivery services have required performance targets. Typically, these targets are presented as percentiles of patients to be seen within specified timeframes. These targets present hospital administrators with a resourcing problem complicated by conflicting objectives: How to minimize costs while maximizing throughput to achieve the performance targets? In this paper, we describe the use of a simulation model to evaluate the effect of changes to staff levels in a cytology department, investigating the trade-off between staff levels and turnaround times in light of performance targets specified by government. Standard practice for determining staffing levels in a cytology department uses average workload estimates and does not take into account target performance measures, task variability, and the interruptive nature of the workload of pathologists. We develop a simulation model for pathologist workload within a cytology department in New Zealand. We describe the model construction process that follows the hierarchical control conceptual modeling (HCCM) framework. We use the resulting simulation model to examine the trade-offs between staffing levels (and associated rosters) and task turnaround time. The results indicate that consideration of variation in task arrivals is important when considering the effect of staffing levels on turnaround time. Furthermore, as the cytology department is required to meet performance targets that involve maximum service times for a percentile of patients, such an approach is necessary in order to estimate the performance level of a staffing roster.

A strategy for the reduction of formaldehyde concentration in a hospital pathology laboratory.

OBJECTIVES: Formaldehyde is routinely used in pathology laboratories. The threshold limit value of formaldehyde determined by American and Japanese organizations is 0.1 ppm, which is similar to the indoor air quality guideline value (0.08 ppm). Therefore, maintaining low formaldehyde concentrations in the workplace is imperative. The purpose of this study was to reduce the concentration of formaldehyde in a hospital pathology laboratory, in which approximately 15 000 pathological diagnoses are conducted yearly, using hardware and software interventions. METHODS: Although this laboratory had various ventilation systems, the formaldehyde concentration was high. Based on the Japanese work environment measurement system, the workplace was categorized as control class III, suggesting that improvements to workplace conditions were required. First, engineering controls were implemented and workers were asked not to block the ventilation system and not to keep waste fluid tanks open. However, the workplace required further improvement. Next, using a video camera and a formaldehyde detector, we attempted to visually educate workers about how much formaldehyde is emitted from the sample container based on the type of action undertaken. RESULTS: After the first intervention, the workplace improved to control class II. Control class II indicates that the workplace condition is between classes I and III; a good workplace condition is classified as class I. Although the work environment was still categorized as control class II after the second intervention, this intervention led to the further improvements. CONCLUSIONS: The hardware and software interventions and safe working habits were effective in improving the work environment.