Unraveling Pathology: Insights From The lab

  A pathology lab , also known as a pathology laboratory, is a medical facility where various tests and analyses are conducted on samples of bodily fluids, tissues, and other specimens to diagnose diseases and conditions.  Role and Importance: Pathology labs play a crucial role in healthcare by providing accurate diagnoses that help guide treatment decisions. These labs are staffed by pathologists, medical laboratory scientists, technicians, and other healthcare professionals who specialize in analyzing and interpreting the results of diagnostic tests. Common tests performed in pathology labs include blood tests, urine tests, biopsies, Pap smears, and genetic testing. Pathology labs use advanced equipment and techniques such as microscopy, molecular diagnostics, immunohistochemistry, and flow cytometry to examine specimens and identify abnormalities or disease markers. The results generated by pathology labs are essential for doctors to make informed decisions about patient ca...

Laboratory safety rules in a pathology lab are crucial to protect the health and well-being of laboratory personnel, prevent accidents, and maintain the integrity of test results. 01.Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Laboratory personnel must wear appropriate PPE, including lab coats, gloves, goggles or face shields, and closed-toe shoes to protect against chemical splashes, biohazards, and other hazards. 02.Hand Hygiene: Proper hand hygiene, including frequent handwashing with soap and water or using hand sanitizer, is essential to prevent the spread of infections and cross-contamination. 03.Safe Handling of Specimens: Handle all specimens with care to prevent spills, contamination, and exposure to infectious agents. Use appropriate precautions when handling potentially hazardous specimens, such as those containing bloodborne pathogens. 04.Labeling and Identification: Ensure all specimens and containers are properly labeled with patient information, date, and type of specimen. ...

An SOP, or Standard Operating Procedure, is a document that outlines a set of step-by-step instructions to perform a specific task or operation. It serves as a reference guide to ensure consistency, safety, and quality in procedures within an organization. SOP for a pathology lab includes detailing the procedures for various tasks such as sample collection, processing, analysis, and reporting. Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for Pathology Lab Objective: To ensure standardized procedures for sample handling, processing, analysis, and reporting in the pathology lab. Scope: This SOP applies to all personnel involved in laboratory procedures in the pathology department. Responsibilities: Lab Technicians: Responsible for sample processing and analysis. Lab Supervisor: Oversees lab operations and ensures adherence to SOPs. Lab Manager: Ensures availability of required resources and compliance with regulations. Procedure: Sample Collection: a. Ensure proper labeling of sample containers wi...

Histopathological techniques are methods used to study the microscopic structure of tissues and cells, particularly for diagnostic purposes in medicine and research. These techniques involve preparing tissue samples, staining them to enhance specific features, and examining them under a microscope.  Common Histopathological Techniques 01. Sample collection: sample collection is a crucial initial step in histopathological analysis, as it directly impacts the quality and reliability of subsequent analyses. The process involves obtaining tissue or cellular samples from patients or experimental subjects. Biopsy: Biopsies involve the removal of a small piece of tissue from a specific site for examination. Depending on the location and nature of the tissue, different biopsy techniques may be used, such as needle biopsy, incisional biopsy, or excisional biopsy. Surgical resection: In cases where larger tissue samples are needed or when a definitive diagnosis requires the removal of an en...

Gross examination in pathology refers to the initial visual inspection and examination of tissue specimens or surgical specimens without the aid of a microscope. This examination is typically conducted by pathologists or pathology assistants. The purpose of gross examination is to identify any gross abnormalities, lesions, or other features that may provide insight into the underlying disease process. Specimen Reception: The specimen is received from the surgical or clinical team and is labeled with relevant patient information, such as name, medical record number, date, and site of the specimen. Stock Photo ID: 2217987715 Biopsy samples being processed at the pathology laboratory to be embedded in paraffin for analysis. Description: The pathologist or pathology assistant begins by describing the external features of the specimen, including its size, shape, color, and any abnormalities that are visible to the naked eye. This description is recorded in the pathology report. A Pathologis...

Colectomy A colectomy is a surgical procedure involving the removal of all or part of the colon, also known as the large intestine. There are several reasons why a colectomy may be performed, including: Colon Cancer: Colectomy may be necessary to remove cancerous tumors located in the colon. The extent of the colectomy will depend on the size and location of the tumor, as well as whether the cancer has spread to nearby tissues. Colorectal Cancer, Posted on October 20, 2016 by Andrew Rubin Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD): Patients with severe cases of ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease, two forms of inflammatory bowel disease, may require a colectomy if medical treatments are ineffective in controlling symptoms or if complications such as perforation, severe bleeding, or toxic megacolon occur. Diverticular Disease: In some cases of diverticulitis, a condition characterized by inflamed or infected pouches (diverticula) in the colon, recurrent episodes or complications such as ...

(Images obtained from the Department of pathology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Kelaniya) The Brain 01.Purulent meningitis (Images obtained from the Department of pathology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Kelaniya) Purulent meningitis is a type of bacterial infection that causes inflammation of the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord (meninges).  Cause: Bacterial pathogens, most commonly Streptococcus pneumoniae, Neisseria meningitidis, or Hemophilus influenzae type B, enter the bloodstream and travel to the meninges, leading to infection. Symptoms: Symptoms typically include severe headache, fever, stiff neck, nausea, vomiting, photophobia (sensitivity to light), altered mental status, and in severe cases, seizures and coma. Diagnosis: Diagnosis is made through clinical evaluation, lumbar puncture (to examine cerebrospinal fluid for signs of infection), and imaging studies such as CT or MRI scans of the brain. Treatment: Prompt treatment with intravenous ...