ABSTRACT
Background Quality control in histopathology is rela?vely newer concept and less understood because of its subjec?vity. Aim:The present study was conducted to assess and determine applicability of the different elements of quality assurance in the histopathology laboratory of a ter?ary care hospital in eastern region of India. Material and methods: An observa?onal, retrospec?ve and analy?c study for one year and three months was conducted. 2000 samples were selected by simple random sampling including the biopsy specimens and cell blocks received in the histopathology laboratory. Results:Of the 2000 samples, 1880 (94%) were accepted and 120 rejected (6%) due to mainly pre analy?cal factors. Of the rejected samples, 35 samples (29.2%) were without proper fixa?ve, 48 samples (40%) had incomplete requisi?on forms, 37 samples (30.8%) had incomplete/ absent clinical history. Lack of adherence to standard ?ssue fixa?on protocols were observed in 55 cases (2.75%). Inadequate preven?ve maintenance and delay in renewal of maintenance contracts were the most common cause of failure of maintenance of equipment. Improper staining was found in 35 cases (1.75%). Grossing of specimens were inadequate in 104 cases (5.2%). Concurrence in diagnosis was found in majority cases (1892 cases, 94.6%). Random case review was done with adequate precision (97.5%) and accuracy (96.6 %). Maintenance of turnaround ?me was found in most cases (1800 cases, 90%). Conclusion: Standard opera?ng procedures, training of staffs, equipment maintenance, alertness to maintain turnaround ?me and awareness, proper report documenta?on and storage are the key factors to successfully uphold quality assurance.
ABSTRACT
Background: Assessment of quality of life (QOL) helps to find out factors associated with disease progression and response to treatment, identify vulnerable groups. The objective of this study was to assess the QOL (based on physical, mental, social, emotional and spiritual dimensions) of oral and oropharyngeal cancer patients.Methods: A hospital based cross sectional study was conducted among 126 oral and oropharyngeal cancer patients attending radio therapy department of Calcutta Medical College. QOL was assessed by using validated Bengali version of two self-administered questionnaires: European Organization for the Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC)-30 and EORTC-35.Results: Among total 81 patients, most of the patients (45.67%) had stage III diseases. Median global health score (GHS) for all patients were 41.67. GHS deteriorated with advancement of the diseases (p=0.000), GHS significantly improved with increasing level of education (p=0.019). GHS was poorer among female patients (median for male was 45.66 and for female was 36.45; p=0.178) and patients with oropharyngeal cancer (median for oral cancer was 50.00, oropharyngeal cancer was 41.67, p=0.215). As per EORTC-35, pain was the major symptom for both type of cancer and was more among patients with oropharyngeal cancer.Conclusions: QOL deteriorates with advancement of the disease and is poorer among females. Co-morbidity status does not affect the QOL. Pain is a major problem of cancer patients, which is more with oropharyngeal cancer patients. Early detection of the cancer and proper pain management and counselling with special focus on females can improve the quality of life.