Pathological examination of specimens removed at surgery
Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHCO) regulations
Submission of material removed at surgery not mandatory when clinical staff consult with a pathologist and certain conditions are met
(1) quality of care not compromised if the specimen is not examined
(2) other means of verification of removal of tissue is used
(3) an operative note documents tissue removal
Tissue removed at total joint arthroplasty may not be cost effective to examine unless there is an underly-ing predisposing risk (eg, hx of XRT, Paget disease)
Tissue removed at thumb CMCJ resectional arthroplasty not cost effective to evaluate or influential in altering the treatment course
The value of routine evaluation of ‘uncomplicated cases’ should not be overlooked for education, re-search, and quality assurance
