Low-cost workflow improvement reduces gastrointestinal block use 17% by altering classic histotechnology testing

Abstract

Objectives: Gastrointestinal (GI) biopsy specimens were previously limited to four per cassette to facilitate established internal technical work practices and histotechnology best practice guidelines. We evaluated the workflow of these biopsy specimens.

Methods: We implemented three specific changes: (1) up to 10 GI biopsy specimens could be placed in each cassette, (2) histotechnologists would no longer orient GI biopsy specimens, and (3) embedding would be in a straight line rather than diagonal. We evaluated the effects of these changes on total block numbers, quality of slides, and perceptions of staff.

Results: The mean number of cassettes used was reduced 17% for GI biopsy cases, or an overall decrease of 3% of total blocks processed by our histopathology laboratory. Slide quality was unchanged. Staff reported increased job satisfaction.

Conclusions: This simple, low-cost, low-effort process change yielded immediate and significant time savings for grossing and histology staff, increased job satisfaction, and challenges conventional histotechnology teaching.

Keywords: Biopsies; Cassette volume; Embedding; Histology; LEAN; Microtomy; Process improvement; Productivity.