IJSR International Journal of Scientific Research 2277 - 8179 Indian Society for Health and Advanced Research ijsr-9-5-25176 Original Research Paper AUDIT OF DERMATOPATHOLOGY REQUEST FORMS RECEIVED IN CENTRAL CLINICAL LABORATORY (HISTOPATHOLOGY SECTION) IN A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL JYOTSNA SAHAI Dr. Dr. PRABHAKAR PATRO Dr. May 2020 9 5 01 02 ABSTRACT

Background and Objectives: In dermatological diagnosis, skin biopsy is important. For its accurate diagnosis by a pathologist, accompanying request forms must have complete details. Incomplete forms received in many cases affect quality of reports, Turn Around Time (TAT) and patient management. This study analyzed dermatopathological request forms received in our laboratory for their completeness and effect on quality of diagnosis. Materials and Methods: 531 histopathology request forms received from dermatology department from 1st January 2018 to 30thDecember 2019 were evaluated for completeness of details of Patient, Physician, Test request and Specimen. Results: The study found that only 1.3% forms were completely filled. The rest lacked one or the other details. Patients’ complete demographic data was in all forms, clinical images of lesions in only 1.3% forms, provisional diagnoses in 79% forms, name of hospital in 95% and physicians’ signatures in 65% forms. More than 70% forms had complete specimen details, but time of collection only in 11% forms. 93% forms contained details of investigation required, while 7% had no such details. Interpretations and Conclusion: Frequency of submission of incomplete request forms was high resulting in low quality of service delivery by the pathologist. Absence of patients’ essential clinical information in request forms hinders the pathologist in accurate and efficient diagnosis and may generate redundancy in the laboratory.