Preanalytical Errors in the Histopathology Laboratory: How an Incompletely Filled Requisition Affects Histopathology Reporting and Patient Care

Introduction: Histopathology reports are considered the gold standard for the diagnosis of most diseases. Studies have demonstrated that many of the errors contributing to a sub optimal report occur in the pre-analytical phase. This phase involves procedures that are not within the control of laboratory personnel, such as specimen collection, filling of the laboratory requisition forms (LRF) and transportation of the specimen to the laboratory. Out of these, the greatest number of preanalytical errors were found to be in filling out the LRF.
Materials and Methods: A retrospective, cross-sectional study was carried out on all histopathology LRFs received at the histopathology laboratory of University Hospital KDU (UH KDU) from 2020 to 2024. Statistical analysis was done using Microsoft Excel. Results: A total of 7308 histopathology LRFs were analysed. None of them were completely filled. The name, age, patient registration number and specimen type were present in all the requisition forms. The gender was absent in 5% (365), and the ward/ clinic was absent in 16% (1169). The patient's contact number was absent in 31% (2265). Details of previous biopsies were absent in 28% (2046). The working diagnosis was lacking in 32% (2339). Specimen orientation was not given in 46% (3362).
Conclusion: This study revealed significant deficiencies in filling certain fields in the histopathology requisition form that are crucial for reporting. The lack of these parameters will result in a sub-optimal report that will in turn, cause difficulties in patient management by the clinician.