Errors in the Dermatopathology Workflow

Nicholas Brownstone, MD, of Temple University Hospital in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, explores the impact, causes, and potential solutions for errors in dermatopathology. He delivers an insightful discussion on a one-year prospective study analyzing error types, sources, and frequencies, revealing a 0.7% error rate, with most mistakes occurring in the pre-analytical stage due to inattention, fatigue, or environmental disruptions. Brownstone emphasizes the importance of quality assurance (QA) and quality improvement (QI) strategies, including standardized biopsy protocols, automation, and error documentation, to enhance patient safety and reduce diagnostic inaccuracies.