AJLM2104 - CME/CMLE - Frozen Section Quality Assurance: Using Separate Frozen Section Slide Preparation Times and Interpretative Time Measurements to Improve Process-Frozen Section Quality Assurance: Using Separate Frozen Section Slide Preparation Times and Interpretative Time Measurements to Improve Process

Frozen Section Quality Assurance: Using Separate Frozen Section Slide Preparation Times and Interpretative Time Measurements to Improve Process

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The document discusses the importance of measuring technical and interpretative times in frozen section quality assurance to identify delays and improve processes related to slide preparation and diagnosis. It presents a study conducted on 1,992 frozen section specimens in 2017, categorized by surgical specialty. The results revealed that technical times were significantly longer than interpretative times, with variations among different specialty groups. The study identified technical issues with gross specimens and interpretation delays for specific neoplasms and margins.<br /><br />Special emphasis was placed on gynecologic, pulmonary, breast, gastrointestinal, head and neck, and genitourinary specimens, highlighting the challenges and areas for improvement within each specialty group. For example, gynecologic specimens had the longest total turnaround time, while pulmonary specimens required extensive dissection, contributing to longer technical times. Breast specimens required more interpretative time, particularly for sentinel lymph nodes.<br /><br />The document emphasizes the impact of technical processes and interpretative challenges on frozen section turnaround times. It discusses the need for focused process improvement based on specialty-specific TAT data to enhance efficiency in frozen section processing. The authors recommend tracking various components of FS TAT to address issues related to grossing skills, interpretative challenges, equipment efficiency, staffing, and space. Additionally, the importance of continuous quality assurance monitoring in surgical pathology, despite no longer being a part of CAP inspection checklist, is highlighted.

Keywords

frozen section quality assurance

technical times

interpretative times

slide preparation

diagnosis

surgical specialty

turnaround time

process improvement

interpretative challenges

quality assurance monitoring