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Objective To determine the knowledge base of common laboratory practices related to preanalytical phase of laboratory testing among medical interns and first-year postgraduate residents in a tertiary care hospital medical college. Materials and methods Questionnaire-based survey on preanalytical phase of laboratory testing was conducted among 208 participants, who volunteered and were MBBS interns and first-year postgraduate residents in a medical college, over the period from June 2018 to December 2019. A total of 15-item, multiple-choice questions (MCQs) were included, of which four were opinion-based and not considered for analysis. Responses were further categorized based on percentages with correct response, so we could identify specific knowledge points which need training. Statistical analysis Results were analyzed using Microsoft Excel functions and a simple calculator. Results A total of 208 participants were included in the study, which consisted of an equal number of interns (104) and first-year postgraduate residents (104). The term “preanalytical error” was known to 62.5% of participants. Only 9.62% participants took formal training in phlebotomy. Topics related to questions like coagulation testing, ideal fasting duration, mixing of blood, and order of draw received less than 40% correct response which meant that it requires more training. Conclusions In this era of evidence-based medicine, central laboratory plays a pivotal role in patient management, and quality of laboratory results are of paramount importance. Over a period of time, automation technology has reduced analytical phase errors to the minimum. Most errors reported are part of the preanalytical phase, and it has been found that a majority of them are committed due to a lack of knowledge and skills. In order to improve the preanalytical phase and make it as error-free as possible, the staff (technicians, nurses, and trainee doctors) should be constantly motivated and trained.

CONTEXT: Globally, trauma is the leading cause of death in young adult population, with approximately accounting for 10% of all deaths. Trauma-induced coagulopathy (TIC) is an independent predictor of morbidity and mortality. AIMS: The aim of the study was to find the prevalence of abnormal test results of coagulation on admission to a trauma center and correlate them with mortality. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: This was a cross-sectional observational study conducted on patients admitted to a trauma center of a tertiary care hospital. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A total of 149 patients with an Injury Severity Score >15 were included in the study. Blood samples of the patients were collected within 24 h of trauma and 2 h of admission and tested for platelet (PLT) count, prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), and fibrinogen (FIB) level. The patients were stratified into two groups – presence/absence of TIC and followed for 2 weeks for mortality. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: Data analysis was done using Microsoft Excel and statistics software SPSS 20 version. RESULTS: Among the 149 patients, 84 had TIC, out of which 71.43% of the patients showed mortality. Of the remaining patients who had no TIC, 35.38% reported mortality. If all the four parameters, that is, PT, APTT, FIB, and PLTs, were considered together, then the percentage of mortality increased to 89.47%. If PT and APTT were studied together, then the percentage of mortality increased to 85.71%. If PT, APTT, and FIB were studied together, the mortality was 84.62%, whereas for parameters PT, APTT, and PLTs together, the mortality was 80%. CONCLUSIONS: Coagulopathy is a strong predictor of mortality in major trauma patients. Basic coagulation tests appear to be sensitive tools for identifying patients at high risk of early death and can be used for early minute diagnosis of TIC. Patients with TIC should be managed aggressively to prevent mortality.

Background: Salivary gland tumors represent the most complex and diverse group of tumors, diagnosis and management of which is complicated by their relative infrequency, the limited amount of pretreatment information available and the wide range of biologic behavior seen with the different pathologic lesions. However, there are no reliable criteria to differentiate, on clinical grounds the benign from the malignant lesions and morphologic evaluation is necessary.Hence, the present study is undertaken to study the spectrum of benign and malignant tumors of salivary gland with emphasis on histopathological features.Methods: Prospective and retrospective study (2012 to 2016) comprised of Fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC), histopathology specimens and slides received in our Department of Pathology during period of 5 years. In each patient age, sex, site and relevant clinical details were recorded in a proforma. FNAC is performed whenever possible followed by histopathological examination as gold standard for diagnosis. Results were analysed in tabular format and Sensitivity, Specificity and Diagnostic accuracy were calculated according to standard formulas.Result: During the study period of five years 60 salivary gland neoplasms were studied out of which 40 were benign, most common being pleomorphic adenoma. Most common malignant tumor was mucoepidermoid carcinoma. Mean age of presentation was 41 years. Histocytological correlation was obtained in 40 cases. Conclusion:Salivary gland tumors are relatively uncommon, and exhibit a wide variety of microscopic appearances, even within one particular lesion, and this has caused considerable problems in categorization and diagnosis. Accurate diagnosis is essential as salivary gland neoplasms have diverse clinical and prognostic outcomes.