title: Effectiveness and Advantages of On-Site Pathology Services in the Care of Patients With Nonmelanoma Skin Cancer.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  On-site pathology services are an integral part of many dermatology and surgical dermatology practices in the United States.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  Assess the effectiveness and advantages of on-site pathology services.
  
  
  METHODS
  Biopsy data from 7 practices with on-site pathology services were reviewed to determine the diagnostic accuracy of malignancies from all lesional biopsies. Patient preference and convenience were queried and measured with satisfaction surveys.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of note, 1,052/1,379 (76.3%) of biopsies demonstrated a malignancy. Most patients underwent treatment of malignant lesions on a different day than the biopsy. Of the patients who scheduled a return visit for surgery on a later date, 42/246 (17.1%) reported incurring additional costs and 44/249 (17.7%) had a relative/friend who was inconvenienced.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  On-site pathology services provide efficient, effective, and convenient care for skin cancer patients. Fellowship-trained dermatologic surgeons use on-site pathology services to diagnose and treat clinically relevant nonmelanoma skin cancer.
authors.affiliation: *Surgical Dermatology and Laser Center, Las Vegas, Nevada; †Zitelli & Brodland, PC, Shadyside Medical Building, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
authors.forename: Mac
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Machan
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Zitelli
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Brodland
mesh_terms: D000553:Ambulatory Care / Q000379:methods*; D000556:Ambulatory Surgical Procedures; D001706:Biopsy / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D014481:United States