The usefulness of pathologists' assistants

The usefulness of pathologists' assistants (PAs) has not been assessed rigo rously. Data from a time-motion self-report log generated by an Allegheny G eneral Hospital (Pittsburgh, PA) PA and from the corresponding surgical spe cimen logs were reviewed to determine the daily distribution of PA time and multiple parameters of practice for gross examination of specimens. Using these data in specific scenarios, PA and non-PA practices were compared. Th e majority of the PA's time (56.5%) was spent performing gross examination of surgical biopsy specimens. The average cost of gross examination per spe cimen for a PA and a pathologist was $4.37 and $15.19, respectively. In thi s practice setting, $91,970.00 is saved per year by the use of a PA. The us e of PAs instead of pathologists results in considerable practice cost savi ngs ($560, 000 in a practice of 50 000 specimens) or saves pathologists tim e to perform other necessary functions. PAs are highly useful in an era of cost containment.