Abstract：
BACKGROUND: Histopathology protocols for processing dermatopathology specimens vary among laboratories.
OBJECTIVE: To determine an optimal histopathology protocol to minimize cost and turnaround time (TAT) for biopsy specimens in a dermatopathology laboratory.
METHODS: A prospective, 4-month study compared the mean cost and TAT of producing one versus two initial H&E slides, and zero versus three unstained slides that could be used for frequently used special or immunohistochemical (IHC) stains.
RESULTS: For all cases, cost was lower for one versus two initial H&E slides, with an insignificant increase in TAT. Producing three vs zero unstained slides incurred higher cost, with no reduction in TAT. In a subset of cases in which frequently used special or IHC stains were performed, cost and TAT were optimized by producing one initial H&E and three unstained slides.
CONCLUSIONS: A protocol of one initial H&E slide and zero unstained slides optimizes cost and TAT in our dermatopathology laboratory. Pigmented lesions and inflammatory dermatoses may benefit from the addition of unstained slides. Further study is needed to quantify this benefit and evaluate for other cases for which an alternative protocol is advantageous.
OBJECTIVE: To determine an optimal histopathology protocol to minimize cost and turnaround time (TAT) for biopsy specimens in a dermatopathology laboratory.
METHODS: A prospective, 4-month study compared the mean cost and TAT of producing one versus two initial H&E slides, and zero versus three unstained slides that could be used for frequently used special or immunohistochemical (IHC) stains.
RESULTS: For all cases, cost was lower for one versus two initial H&E slides, with an insignificant increase in TAT. Producing three vs zero unstained slides incurred higher cost, with no reduction in TAT. In a subset of cases in which frequently used special or IHC stains were performed, cost and TAT were optimized by producing one initial H&E and three unstained slides.
CONCLUSIONS: A protocol of one initial H&E slide and zero unstained slides optimizes cost and TAT in our dermatopathology laboratory. Pigmented lesions and inflammatory dermatoses may benefit from the addition of unstained slides. Further study is needed to quantify this benefit and evaluate for other cases for which an alternative protocol is advantageous.
摘要：
背景：用于处理皮肤病理学标本的组织学方案因实验室而异。
目的：确定最佳的组织学方案，以最大程度地减少皮肤病理学实验室活检标本的成本和周转时间（TAT）。
方法：前瞻性，4个月的研究比较了生产一张和两张初始H&E幻灯片的平均成本和TAT，零和三个未染色的载玻片，可用于经常使用的特殊或免疫组织化学染色。
结果：对于所有情况，一张初始H&E幻灯片的成本低于两张初始H&E幻灯片，TAT的增加微不足道。生产三张与零张未染色的载玻片需要更高的成本，没有减少TAT。在经常使用的特殊或免疫组织化学染色的情况下，通过生产一个初始H&E和三个未染色的载玻片来优化成本和TAT。
结论：一个初始H&E载玻片和零个未染色载玻片的方案优化了皮肤病理学实验室的成本和TAT。色素性病变和炎性皮肤病可能受益于添加未染色的载玻片。需要进一步的研究来量化这种益处，并评估替代方案有利的其他情况。本文受版权保护。保留所有权利。
目的：确定最佳的组织学方案，以最大程度地减少皮肤病理学实验室活检标本的成本和周转时间（TAT）。
方法：前瞻性，4个月的研究比较了生产一张和两张初始H&E幻灯片的平均成本和TAT，零和三个未染色的载玻片，可用于经常使用的特殊或免疫组织化学染色。
结果：对于所有情况，一张初始H&E幻灯片的成本低于两张初始H&E幻灯片，TAT的增加微不足道。生产三张与零张未染色的载玻片需要更高的成本，没有减少TAT。在经常使用的特殊或免疫组织化学染色的情况下，通过生产一个初始H&E和三个未染色的载玻片来优化成本和TAT。
结论：一个初始H&E载玻片和零个未染色载玻片的方案优化了皮肤病理学实验室的成本和TAT。色素性病变和炎性皮肤病可能受益于添加未染色的载玻片。需要进一步的研究来量化这种益处，并评估替代方案有利的其他情况。本文受版权保护。保留所有权利。
