title: Uniform Labeling of Blocks and Slides in Surgical Pathology: Guideline From the College of American Pathologists Pathology and Laboratory Quality Center and the National Society for Histotechnology.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The labeling of paraffin blocks and microscopic glass slides in the practice of surgical pathology varies from institution to institution and introduces potential risk of preanalytic error. Currently there are no evidence-based guidelines regarding the uniform labeling of these materials.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To develop recommendations that will address the need for adequate patient identification and provide a consistent method of identifying slides originating from a particular block.
  
  
  METHODS
  - The College of American Pathologists Pathology and Laboratory Quality Center and the National Society for Histotechnology convened a panel of pathologists and histotechnologists with expertise in histology laboratory quality practices to develop labeling recommendations. A systematic evidence review was conducted to address 6 main key questions. Recommendations were derived from strength of evidence, open comment feedback, and expert panel consensus.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Twelve guideline statements were established to assist pathology laboratories in developing standardized block and slide labeling practices. These guidelines call for the use of 2 patient identifiers, 1 of which includes the accession number and case type, on all paraffin blocks and slides. Recommendations were also developed to address the order and format in which identifying elements should appear.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Uniform labeling of paraffin blocks and slides derived from patient specimens will provide an important enhancement to patient safety by assuring that all preparations derived from a patient's tissue can be uniquely and unambiguously linked to that patient. Adoption of standardized practices additionally will improve patient care by facilitating interpretation of histologic sections when they are referred in consultation to a second institution.
authors.affiliation: From the Department of Pathology, Memorial Hermann Southwest Hospital, Houston, Texas (Dr Brown); the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston (Mr Della Speranza); the Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, Maryland (Ms Alvarez); the Department of Pathology, Greenwich Hospital, Greenwich, Connecticut (Dr Eisen); the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California (Dr Frishberg); the Department of Pathology, University of Utah Medical School, Salt Lake City (Dr Rosai); the Histologic Technology Program, Florida State College at Jacksonville, Orange Park (Mr Santiago); the Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Royal Columbian Hospital, New Westminster, British Columbia, Canada (Ms Tunnicliffe); Governance (Ms Colasacco) and Surveys (Ms Thomas), College of American Pathologists, Northfield, Illinois; and the Quality and Guidelines Department, American Society of Clinical Oncology, Alexandria, Virginia (Ms Lacchetti).
authors.forename: Richard W
authors.initials: RW
authors.lastname: Brown
authors.forename: Vincent
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Della Speranza
authors.forename: Janice O
authors.initials: JO
authors.lastname: Alvarez
authors.forename: Richard N
authors.initials: RN
authors.lastname: Eisen
authors.forename: David P
authors.initials: DP
authors.lastname: Frishberg
authors.forename: Juan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Rosai
authors.forename: Jerry
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Santiago
authors.forename: Janet
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Tunnicliffe
authors.forename: Carol
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Colasacco
authors.forename: Christina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Lacchetti
authors.forename: Nicole E
authors.initials: NE
authors.lastname: Thomas
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D006652:Histological Techniques / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D007753:Laboratories / Q000592:standards; D010340:Pathology, Surgical / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D012955:Societies, Medical; D013194:Staining and Labeling / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D014481:United States; D000078202:Systematic Reviews as Topic