Evaluation of the Cost Effectiveness of Establishing A Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology Clinic In A Hospital Out-Patient Department |
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Authors: | G KOCJAN |
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Institution: | Department of Histopathology, University College and Middlesex School of Medicine, Middlesex Hospital, London. |
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Abstract: | In an attempt to reduce the number of inadequate smears processed by our laboratory and the false negative rate of fine needle aspiration cytodiagnosis, we have introduced a fine needle aspiration cytology service where aspirates are taken by the cytopathologist in a clinic. In the 12 month period since the introduction of this service, the number of inadequate smears fell sharply. Nine per cent of the specimens were inadequate compared with 43% of specimens from other sources. The establishment of the clinic resulted in a threefold reduction in the cost of diagnosing breast lesions. |
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Keywords: | fine needle aspiration out-patient cytology clinic cost and benefit |
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