Sri Krishna Chaitanya Arudra1, Laura C Garvey1, Ian S Hagemann2. 1. Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, 425 S. Euclid Ave., Campus Box 8118, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA. 2. Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, 425 S. Euclid Ave., Campus Box 8118, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA. hagemani@wustl.edu.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: This study was performed to determine whether in-laboratory specimen radiography reduces turnaround time or block utilization in surgical pathology. METHODS: Specimens processed during a 48-day trial of an in-lab cabinet radiography device (Faxitron) were compared to a control group of specimens imaged in the mammography suite during a prior 1-year period, and to a second group of specimens not undergoing imaging of any type. RESULTS: Cases imaged in the mammography suite had longer turnaround time than cases not requiring imaging (by 1.15 days for core biopsies, and 1.73 days for mastectomies; p < 0.0001). In contrast, cases imaged in-lab had turnaround time that was no longer than unimaged cases (p > 0.05 for core biopsies, lumpectomies and mastectomies). Mastectomies imaged in-lab required submission of fewer blocks than controls not undergoing any imaging (mean reduction of 10.6 blocks). CONCLUSIONS: Availability of in-lab radiography resulted in clinically meaningful improvements in turnaround time and economically meaningful reductions in block utilization.
BACKGROUND: This study was performed to determine whether in-laboratory specimen radiography reduces turnaround time or block utilization in surgical pathology. METHODS: Specimens processed during a 48-day trial of an in-lab cabinet radiography device (Faxitron) were compared to a control group of specimens imaged in the mammography suite during a prior 1-year period, and to a second group of specimens not undergoing imaging of any type. RESULTS: Cases imaged in the mammography suite had longer turnaround time than cases not requiring imaging (by 1.15 days for core biopsies, and 1.73 days for mastectomies; p < 0.0001). In contrast, cases imaged in-lab had turnaround time that was no longer than unimaged cases (p > 0.05 for core biopsies, lumpectomies and mastectomies). Mastectomies imaged in-lab required submission of fewer blocks than controls not undergoing any imaging (mean reduction of 10.6 blocks). CONCLUSIONS: Availability of in-lab radiography resulted in clinically meaningful improvements in turnaround time and economically meaningful reductions in block utilization.
Authors: Wolfram Malter; Christian Eichler; Bettina Hanstein; Peter Mallmann; Johannes Holtschmidt Journal: In Vivo Date: 2020 May-Jun Impact factor: 2.155
Authors: Cynthia L Miller; Suzanne B Coopey; Elizabeth Rafferty; Michele Gadd; Barbara L Smith; Michelle C Specht Journal: Breast Cancer Res Treat Date: 2016-02-12 Impact factor: 4.872