INTRADEPARTMENTAL CONSULTATION CONFERENCE - A GOOD QUALITY CONTROL PRACTICE AND A PROBLEM-SOLVING ACTIVITY

Abstract

Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of intradepartmental consultation conference (IDC) as a good quality control measure and problem-solving activity in a busy histopathology department. Methods: This study was done at the histopathology department of a tertiary care hospital over a period of 6 years from 2011 to 2016. IDC is routinely held at 2 pm daily on multi-header microscope. All the difficult and problematic cases are discussed. Discussed cases with the recommendations of IDC are recorded. The cases were extracted from the record of IDC being maintained since 2011. All the record sheets were analysed and the cases were divided organ and system wise. Results: A total of 5766 (6.5%) cases were discussed in this 6-year period of a total of 89,253 cases reported at our centre. Of these, 2198 (38%) were solved on first viewing, 1783 (31%) in the second viewing and 1691 (29%) in the third viewing. In total, 98% of the cases were resolved until the third viewing, leaving only 94 (2%) cases in which further studies were recommended. A variable number of pathologists were present in the meeting, and an average of 4 was present in majority of the occasions. Conclusion: IDC is a good quality control measure to ensure quality in a busy histopathology department and an effective problem-solving activity. Key words: Intradepartmental consultation, histopathology, cancer