Showing papers by "Stephen S. Raab published in 2005"

Clinical impact and frequency of anatomic pathology errors in cancer diagnoses.

Abstract: BACKGROUND To the authors' knowledge, the frequency and clinical impact of errors in the anatomic pathology diagnosis of cancer have been poorly characterized to date. METHODS The authors examined errors in patients who underwent anatomic pathology tests to determine the presence or absence of cancer or precancerous lesions in four hospitals. They analyzed 1 year of retrospective errors detected through a standardized cytologic–histologic correlation process (in which patient same-site cytologic and histologic specimens were compared). Medical record reviews were performed to determine patient outcomes. The authors also measured the institutional frequency, cause (i.e., pathologist interpretation or sampling), and clinical impact of diagnostic cancer errors. RESULTS The frequency of errors in cancer diagnosis was found to be dependent on the institution (P < 0.001) and ranged from 1.79–9.42% and from 4.87–11.8% of all correlated gynecologic and nongynecologic cases, respectively. A statistically significant association was found between institution and error cause (P < 0.001); the cause of errors resulting from pathologic misinterpretation ranged from 5.0–50.7% (the remainder were due to clinical sampling). A statistically significant association was found between institution and assignment of the clinical impact of error (P < 0.001); the aggregated data demonstrated that for gynecologic and nongynecologic errors, 45% and 39%, respectively, were associated with harm. The pairwise kappa statistic for interobserver agreement on cause of error ranged from 0.118–0.737. CONCLUSIONS Errors in cancer diagnosis are reported to occur in up to 11.8% of all reviewed cytologic-histologic specimen pairs. To the authors' knowledge, little agreement exists regarding whether pathology errors are secondary to misinterpretation or poor clinical sampling of tissues and whether pathology errors result in serious harm. Cancer 2005. © 2005 American Cancer Society.

Error detection in anatomic pathology.

Abstract: Objectives.—To define the magnitude of error occurring in anatomic pathology, to propose a scheme to classify such errors so their influence on clinical outcomes can be evaluated, and to identify quality assurance procedures able to reduce the frequency of errors. Design.—(a) Peer-reviewed literature search via PubMed for studies from single institutions and multi-institutional College of American Pathologists Q-Probes studies of anatomic pathology error detection and prevention practices; (b) structured evaluation of defects in surgical pathology reports uncovered in the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine of the Henry Ford Health System in 2001–2003, using a newly validated error taxonomy scheme; and (c) comparative review of anatomic pathology quality assurance procedures proposed to reduce error. Results.—Marked differences in both definitions of error and pathology practice make comparison of error detection and prevention procedures among publications from individual institution...

Patient Safety in Anatomic Pathology: Measuring Discrepancy Frequencies and Causes

Abstract: Context.—Anatomic pathology discrepancy frequencies have not been rigorously studied. Objective.—To determine the frequency of anatomic pathology discrepancies and the causes of these discrepancies. Design.—Participants in the College of American Pathologists Q-Probes program self-reported the number of anatomic pathology discrepancies in their laboratories by prospectively performing secondary review (post–sign-out) of 100 surgical pathology or cytology specimens. Reasons for the secondary review included conferences, external review, internal quality assurance policy, and physician request. Participants.—Seventy-four laboratories self-reported data. Main Outcome Measures.—Frequency of anatomic pathology discrepancy; type of discrepancy (ie, change in margin status, change in diagnosis, change in patient information, or typographic error); effect of discrepancy on patient outcome (ie, no harm, near miss, or harm); and clarity of report. Results.—The mean and median laboratory discrepancy frequen...

Interobserver variability in the fine needle aspiration biopsy diagnosis of follicular lesions of the thyroid gland.

Abstract: OBJECTIVE To study the degree of interobserver variability in the interpretation of fine needle aspiration (FNA) biopsies of the thyroid, specifically in the categorization of follicular lesions (FLs), and to examine the accuracy of FNA diagnosis of FLs with surgical follow-up. STUDY DESIGN Fifty cases were chosen with surgical follow-up and a cytologic diagnosis of either FL (21) or follicular neoplasms (29). Representative slides were selected for each case and circulated to 4 pathologists for review. Interobserver variability was assessed using pairwise K statistics. Accuracy of the cytologic diagnoses in predicting a nonneoplastic or neoplastic outcome was determined by measuring sensitivity and specificity. Likelihood ratios and receiver operator characteristic curves were calculated for each reviewer. RESULTS Interobserver agreement between the 4 pathologists was fair to substantial (K scores, 0.199-0.617). The accuracy of the 4 pathologists' cytologic diagnoses in predicting the surgical outcome was 77-90% for follicular neoplasms and 53-74% for nonneoplastic diagnoses. CONCLUSION FLs present diagnostic difficulties as to cytologic categorization. A wide range of interobserver agreement was found in this study of 4 pathologists from the same institution. Some pathologists make greater use of intermediate categories, such as FL, favor nonneoplastic, or FL, favor neoplastic, whereas others show more definitive categorization into benign and neoplastic groups.

Improving the quality of cytology diagnosis: root cause analysis for errors in bronchial washing and brushing specimens.

Abstract: Detailed root cause analysis to determine causes of pulmonary cytology errors has not been used to design specific practice changes. We performed root cause analysis of all false-negative bronchial brushing and washing specimen errors (n = 32) detected by the cytologic-histologic correlation process in 2002. Medical records and all slides were reviewed. Based on the correlation process, 10 errors were interpretive, 16 sampling, and 6 combined interpretive/sampling. Root cause analysis showed that the lesion was not accessible in 8 cases and tumor was readily identified on the slides in only 1 case. In 11 cases, the malignant cells were few and not recognized, and in 13 cases, obscuring artifacts (eg, cellular crushing and air drying) limited interpretation. Sampling issues had a major role in the misdiagnosis in 31 cases (97%), and recommendations for error reduction include immediate interpretation and the use of transmucosal fine-needle aspiration.

Variability in cytologic-histologic correlation practices and implications for patient safety.

Abstract: Context.—The Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments of 1988 require that laboratories perform cytologic-histologic correlation, although the optimal methods and the value of performing...

Anatomic pathology databases and patient safety.

Abstract: Context.—The utility of anatomic pathology discrepancies has not been rigorously studied. Objective.—To outline how databases may be used to study anatomic pathology patient safety. Design...

Database construction for improving patient safety by examining pathology errors

Abstract: A critical component of improving patient safety is reducing medical errors. "Improving Patient Safety by Examining Pathology Errors" is a project designed to collect data about and analyze diagnostic errors voluntarily reported by 4 academic anatomic pathology laboratories and to develop and implement interventions to reduce errors and improve patient outcomes. The study database is Web-mediated and Oracle-based, and it houses de-identified error data detected by cytologic-histologic correlation and interdepartmental conference review. We describe the basic design of the database with a focus on challenges faced as a consequence of the absence of standardized and detailed laboratory workload and quality assurance data sets in widely used laboratory information systems and the lack of efficient and comprehensive electronic de-identification of unlinked institutional laboratory information systems and clinical data. Development of these electronic data abstraction capabilities is critical for efforts to improve patient safety through the examination of pathology diagnostic errors.

Histology Errors: Use of Real-Time Root Cause Analysis to Improve Practice

Abstract: Anatomic pathology errors can occur at any of the stages through which a specimen passes, from transport, through the gross room and histology, and finally through examination, sign-out, and report transmission. Most errors are detected by redundant methods of slide review, which often detects interpretive or clinical sampling errors. However, other methods, such as the Toyota Production System (TPS) process, may be used to detect and correct errors that are noninterpretive in nature. We illustrate how the TPS process may be used to detect and correct errors occurring in histology.

Recommendations for the Reporting of Tissues Removed as Part of the Surgical Treatment of Malignant Liver Tumors

Abstract: The Association of Directors of Anatomic and Surgical Pathology (ADASP) has developed recommendations for the surgical pathology report for primary and metastatic epithelial tumors in the liver. These recommendations are reported herein.

Coming to terms with Vietnam: the Viet/American Cervical Cancer Prevention Project.

Abstract: The Viet/American Cervical Cancer Prevention Project embraces a dual mission. We seek to develop sustainable, cost-effective cervical cancer prevention services for women in Vietnam. Because the problem of cervical cancer in Vietnam is in part a legacy of the Second Indochinese War, we also seek to examine obstacles to reconciliation by presenting what most acknowledge to be a remedy in advance of what some will perceive to be an accusation. Certain research and commercial interests have produced obstacles to our dual mission in Vietnam. The Alliance for Cervical Cancer Prevention, supported by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, has failed to endorse Pap screening for developing countries and is conducting clinical trials which may further disaffect medically underserved groups. Visual screening techniques combined with immediate ablative treatment methods are incompatible with the requirements of “first do no harm.” Because the Pap smear will probably be a component of any future human papillomavirus (HPV)-based or visual- based screening programs, it serves the interests of those promoting noncytologic screening methods to also support the development of Pap screening services. Research on HPV screening in developing countries raises concerns of commercial exploitation. Because Pap screening is feasible wherever cervical screening is appropriate, it is inappropriate to delay the development of Pap screening services pending research into HPV vaccines or alternative screening technologies. Quality management is the point at which public health and diagnostic pathology intersect and will remain an indispensable element of cervical screening programs irrespective of the screening test(s) eventually used. Pap screening in developing countries is an ethical imperative without a substantial political constituency and will benefit from the engagement of organized cytology. Diagn. Cytopathol. 2005;33:344–351. © 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Identification and Correction of Errors in the Anatomic Pathology Gross Room

Abstract: :High-volume pathology laboratories have occasional incidents of specimen mixup. This case report describes one such incident, in which there was an error in specimen accessioning. The current system has various checks to catch potential errors. The error was detected; however, the case had