Evidence map›Paper›PMID 39507190›Full record

ArticleCureus2024

Internal Audit of an Oral Pathology Laboratory: Perspectives on Finances and Operational Management.

Priyadharshini G, Karthikeyan Ramalingam, Pratibha Ramani, Deepak Nallaswamy

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Cureus, 2024. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

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Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

4 authors.

Priyadharshini GOral Pathology and Microbiology, Saveetha Dental College and Hospitals, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Saveetha University, Chennai, IND.
Karthikeyan RamalingamOral Pathology and Microbiology, Saveetha Dental College and Hospitals, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Saveetha University, Chennai, IND.
Pratibha RamaniOral Pathology and Microbiology, Saveetha Dental College and Hospitals, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Saveetha University, Chennai, IND.
Deepak NallaswamyProsthodontics, Saveetha Dental College and Hospitals, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Saveetha University, Chennai, IND.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Background Internal audits are essential tools for enhancing the operational efficiency, quality, and effectiveness of healthcare departments. Audits enable the departments and laboratories to meet the changing needs of the healthcare environment by giving a detailed picture of the department's operations and highlighting areas for possible growth and development. Aims and objectives This study focuses on the biopsies received in the Oral Pathology Department at Saveetha Dental College, aiming to evaluate biopsy trends, financial performance, and resource utilization over one year. Materials and methods The oral pathology department audit covered the period from 1st April 2023 to 31st March 2024. The institutional human ethical committee and scientific review board approved the retrospective audit. It involved a comprehensive analysis of biopsy data, financial records, and material usage. Data on different biopsy types (excisional, incisional, frozen sections), immunohistochemistry, cytology, and special stains were collected and analyzed across four quarters. Financial performance was assessed by comparing total income and expenses, while resource utilization was examined through the use of histopathological blocks and other consumables. Statistical analysis (chi-square) was performed using IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Version 23 (Released 2015; IBM Corp., Armonk, New York, United States). A P-value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results We received 1100 cases during the study period. Excisional biopsies were the most common, with 474 (43.09%) cases, followed by incisional biopsies with a total of 432 (39.27%). Out of total cases of 1100, the second quarter (July-September 2023) had the highest case volume of 305 (27.72%), while the third quarter (October-December 2023) recorded the lowest of 250 (22.72%) cases. A financial audit revealed an annual deficit of ₹1,03,321 primarily due to higher expenses towards laboratory reagents. The overall expense incurred per case was ₹448.5. Tissue blocks cost ₹85.23 per case (19.00%) of the average cost per case. The chi-square test analysis was insignificant among the different types of biopsies and the reagent consumption across the four quarters.  Conclusion The audit identified critical areas for improvement in both clinical workload and financial management. High volumes of biopsies, but net financial deficits highlight the need for better cost management and resource utilization strategies to maintain sustainability without compromising diagnostic quality.

Indexed as

biopsyfinancial audithospital administrationincomelab administrationoral pathologypathology lab administrationresource allocationsquamous cell carcinomatotal quality management

Identifiers

PMID39507190
PMCPMC11539608

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.