HOW TEMPLATES IMPROVE QUALITY AND EFFICIENCY IN SURGICAL PATHOLOGY

Computerized information systems allow repetitive tasks to be done qui ckly and efficiently, and complex tasks to be done routinely. Surgical pathology reports, reflecting the nature of the specimens tend to be similar, and word processing may be used to develop templates. The use of templates, modified to fit a particular specimen, greatly reduces repetitive typing and typographical errors. Their use allows gross des criptions diagnostic statements, and comments to be formatted by an ex pert, I; thus setting a high standard for all users. In addition to qu ality improvement, templates greatly enhance the productivity of secre taries, allowing more work to be done with the same effort.