This document provides an introduction to histopathology and laboratory organization. It defines key terms like histology, histopathology, and histotechniques. It explains that histopathology involves examining tissues under a microscope to diagnose diseases. The organization of a histopathology laboratory has three parts: construction and equipment, staff, and protocols. Laboratories need specific rooms and equipment for receiving samples, processing, staining, and storage. Staff roles include pathologists, technicians, and attendants. Laboratories must establish standard operating procedures and safety measures to properly handle tissues and chemicals.

1. Introduction to Histopathology
and Lab organization

2. Definition
• Histo : Tissue
• Histology : Study of anatomy of normal cell or
tissue.
• Histopathology : Study of diseased tissue at
microscopic level.
• Histotechniques : Processing of tissue in such
a manner that it enables the satisfactory study
of tissue.

3. What is Histopathology
• Histopathology is the diagnosis and study of
diseases of the tissue, and involves examining
tissue and/or cell under a microscope.
• Histopathologist are responsible for making
tissue diagnoses and helping clinicians
manage a patient's care.

5. Laboratory Organization
• The organization of the Histopathology
laboratory has three essential parts:
– Laboratory construction, equipments, etc.
– Laboratory staffs
– Organization set-up and laboratory protocol

6. Laboratory Construction, Equipments,
etc
• The laboratory access pathways should be as
follows:
– Sample ( Biopsy, small and large specimens) collection
area/room
– Sample Fixation & Grossing room
– Sample processing room ( Tissue processor, Block
making ,microtomy,)
– Staining area
– Reporting Room
– Storage area/room for slides
– Storage area/room for specimens
– Report collection room

7. General rules
• Location: Other than the specimen and the
report collection rooms, all other laboratory
rooms should be inaccessible to the patients
and other trespassers.
• Rooms: The rooms should have the following:
– All the laboratory rooms should be well ventilated
with high ceilings.
– The wall of the laboratory should be well painted.

8. General rules
– The floor and wall should be made in such a way
that they can be cleaned easily by disinfectant.
– The room should have water supply, proper racks
and closed almirah to keep the hazardous
chemicals separately.
– The processing room must have a safety cabinet.
– The Reporting room should be isolated, spacious
and free from any noise.

9. General rules
• Safety arrangement: Ensure and maintain
personal as well as environmental health and
safety in the laboratory.
– The first step is to identify all electrical, mechanical
and biological hazards that can potentially cause harm
in the laboratory.
– Standard operating procedures (SOP) must be detailed
to include control of hazardous substances, risk
assessments, and other health and safety information
relevant to handling of specimens.

10. • General safety precautions that must be
observed when working in the laboratory:
– Protect the hands and forearms by wearing either
gloves and a laboratory coat or suitable long
gloves to avoid contact of the toxic material with
the skin.
– Wash hands frequently throughout the day and
before leaving the lab.
– Procedures involving volatile toxic substances and
those involving solid or liquid toxic substances
that may result in the generation of aerosols
should be conducted in a fume hood or other
suitable containment device.

11. – The laboratory workplace should be well-ventilated,
clean and organized.
– Smoking, sleeping, eating and drinking are prohibited
in the laboratory.
– Do not store food and drinks in laboratory
refrigerators.
– Do not wear shorts, sandals, or open-toed shoes in
laboratory.
– Minors or personal pets are not permitted in the
laboratory.
– Secure any dangling jewelry, restrain loose clothing,
and tie back long hair that might get caught in
equipment before starting work.

12. • Use of cell phones and music headphones should
be avoided while working in the lab. They can be
distracting and can increase the potential for an
accident to occur.
• They can also become contaminated if handled
while working with hazardous materials.
• Every instrument used in the laboratory should
meet electrical safety specifications and have
written instructions regarding its use

13. • Eye wash station, safety shower and first aid kits should
be standard facilities in a laboratory.
• Fire extinguishers, first aid, emergency blankets, and
hoods must be checked monthly.
• Chemical material should be stored and safely secured
where there is sufficient ventilation.
• Acids and bases must be separately stored.
• All chemical material must be labeled with the name,
characteristics, danger level, and precautionary
measures.
• Laboratories must have available appropriate
protective gears for all individuals: safety devices,
goggles, gloves, lab coats, and face-shields.
• The laboratory must have a method for disposal of
hazardous wastes.

14. • Avoid handling the sharp ends of instruments.
• Use forceps or other tools to remove sharp
instruments from baskets and autoclaves.
• Workers should use appropriate hand protection
when hands are exposed to hazards such as cuts,
lacerations or thermal burns.
• Laboratory accidents must be documented and
investigated with incident reports and industrial
accident reports.
• Obtain medical advice (first aid officer, doctor,
poisons information center, ambulance)
immediately if major exposure occurs.

15. Equipments
Grossing station

22. Automated slide stainer

34. Laboratory Staffs
• The laboratory staffs should be in the
following categories:
– Laboratory directors or Incharge
– Consultant pathologist
– Biomedical scientist or technical chief
– Laboratory technicians
– Laboratory attendants
– Clerical staff
– Others: Cleaner, receptionists, etc.

35. • Job Description : The duties and
responsibilities of the different category of the
staffs should be specified at the time of
recruitment.
• Qualifications and Training The technical
staffs and the pathologists should have proper
qualification and licence. Periodic evaluation
of the staffs should be done.

36. Job Description for Histology
Technician
• Reports To : Laboratory Director
• Job Summary : The Histology Technician will
perform the various tasks required for receiving,
processing, and preparing patient tissue
specimens for microscopic examination and
analysis by the Pathologist.
– This may include logging, batching, and cutting,
mounting and staining procedures.
– Tissue specimens received from surgical, or autopsy
cases are sorted, logged, and prioritized according to
the standards required.

37. Job Description for Histology
Technician
Duties
• Retrieves specimens from the Surgery Department
• Sorts specimens according to priority and difficulty of procedures
and records in pathology log
• Embeds specimens into blocks and fixes tissue in formalin.
• Operates instrumentation for tissue dehydration, section clearing,
impregnation with paraffin, cutting tissue sections, and staining of
slides.
• Prepares solutions, stains, and reagents in accordance with
standards written procedures
• Operates and maintains all histology area lab equipment in proper
state of readiness, cleanliness, and sharpens and hone microtome
knives
• Records number of tissue blocks verifying proper identification and
label

38. Job Description for Histology
Technician
• Performs and monitors inventory of supplies,
equipment, and reagents used, and places
orders for replacements as required.
• Capable of performing all routine and special
procedures like all staining preparation and
procedures.
• Encourages other lab personnel towards
professional growth and development by
sharing information

43. Organization Set-Up and System
Protocol
• The overall organization process of the sample
is important for the maintenance of good
quality work.
• Each laboratory should have a documented
plan of the scope of the laboratory service,
flow chart of the work plan, allocated budget
in the different areas and proper quality
planning with periodic review of the whole
laboratory work process.

44. Thank You