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Workflow in a Pathology Lab

The work in a pathology lab is essential in healthcare facilities. Although the pathologist does not meet the patient too often, the information provided by him/her is vital in medical diagnosis.



That gives the pathology lab a great responsibility because treatment for the patient is based upon its findings about the tissue or smear sample.

The workflow

1. The sample gets in the laboratory on a glass slide. The sample can be taken by biopsy, autopsy or it can be smear (e.g. blood). Records are kept about every information that can be important.
2. The sample on the glass slide is stained. Staining means making certain parts of the sample visible for examination with the brightfield microscope. The sample is then covered with a cover glass to protect it.
3. The slide is examined by the pathologist in the microscope. The pathologist is looking for the abnormal structures and formations of cells or for different colours produced by the staining.
4. The conclusion is drawn about the illness and the severeness of the illness. The information provided by the diagnosis is sent to the doctor who is responsible for the treatment.
5. The glass slide is stored for possible further examinations.
   

This workflow has been used for decades now and it has stood the test of time. But the ever changing challenges are starting to pose questions which the traditional way of pathology workflow cannot answer.