Telecytology rapid onsite evaluation, with real-time communication between cytopathologist, cytotechnologist, and proceduralist, offers better adequacy rates for lymph node, but not thyroid, fine-needle aspirations.
Publication/Presentation Date
1-1-2023
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Rapid onsite evaluation (ROSE) decreases rates of inadequate fine-needle aspirations (FNAs). Telecytology allows pathologists to perform ROSE without being physically "on site", thereby saving cytopathologists' travel time and allowing them to perform ROSE for multiple institutions. Little research exists comparing telecytology to non-telecytology ROSE for FNA inadequacy rates.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: Using previously obtained quality metrics, we compared inadequacy rates for lymph node and thyroid FNAs with and without ROSE and with non-telecytology ROSE compared with telecytology ROSE. Use of ROSE was determined by the proceduralist. Type of ROSE was location-based, as only certain locations at our institution have telecytology capabilities. Chi-squared testing was used to compare proportions of populations and P value was set to 0.05.
RESULTS: A total of 1168 lymph node and 1177 thyroid FNAs were included in our adequacy analysis. We found any ROSE decreased our inadequacy rate for both lymph node (20.4% to 12.7%, P = 0.002) and thyroid (34.7% to 4.8%, P = 7.4 × 10
CONCLUSIONS: At our institution, when using telecytology, slides are read in real time with the cytotechnologist and the proceduralist looking at slides together near the patient bedside, while the cytopathologist is on the phone looking at slides on the computer screen via Dameware. When non-telecytology ROSE is performed, the cytotechnologist evaluates a slide, brings it to the cytopathologist's office and then the cytopathologist calls the proceduralist to discuss the slide. We believe telecytology offers an opportunity for more inclusive communication thereby improving adequacy rates for more complex cases, like lymph nodes, without affecting adequacy rates for cases where assessment of adequacy is less complex, like thyroid. This research supports use of telecytology especially for complex cases.
Volume
12
Issue
6
First Page
407
Last Page
414
ISSN
2213-2945
Published In/Presented At
Post, R., Doxzon, K., & Goldberg, A. (2023). Telecytology rapid onsite evaluation, with real-time communication between cytopathologist, cytotechnologist, and proceduralist, offers better adequacy rates for lymph node, but not thyroid, fine-needle aspirations. Journal of the American Society of Cytopathology, 12(6), 407–414. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jasc.2023.07.002
Disciplines
Business Administration, Management, and Operations | Health and Medical Administration | Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods
PubMedID
37620222
Department(s)
Administration and Leadership
Document Type
Article