Crosshouse Hospital's pathology department has received national recognition for its pioneering approach to improving quality and patient safety. The team has picked up the Healthcare Science Award 2011 for developing the role of biomedical scientists in specimen dissection.
Tissue dissection in the laboratory is the first step towards arriving at an accurate diagnosis, and used to be carried out solely by consultant histopathologists. Now, with the development of their skills and greater use of their expertise, 80-90% of all specimen dissection is carried out by biomedical scientists. One of the results has been to give histopathologists significantly more time to be involved in patient diagnosis, prognosis and treatment. At the same time, support workers are taking on more of the biomedical scientists' duties.
The Crosshouse laboratory is now sharing its knowledge and learning with other pathology departments in Scotland. NHS Ayrshire and Arran's senior biomedical scientist, and lead in specimen dissection, Vanda McTaggart, is also able to influence examinations and guidelines nationally through her position on the IBMS./RCPath Conjoint Board.
Chief biomedical scientist Debbi Hyslop commented: "This initiative has changed the working practices of all levels of staff in the department, creating excellent teamwork, improving working relationships and ultimately providing the best possible service for our patients."
Liz Moore, Director of Integrated Care and Emergency Services, commented: "The award is national acknowledgment that our pathology service is leading the way in Scotland by introducing an extended role for biomedical scientists. The result has been to improve the skill mix across the whole pathology team, increasing both quality and patient safety."
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