Appropriateness of Histopathology Specimen Containers and Completeness of Laboratory Request Forms in Uganda: A Case of Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital, South Western Uganda.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

Laboratory request forms (LRFs) are pivotal to histopathologists as they are the only medium through which pathologists communicate with patients and clinicians. On many occasions, the LRFs are incompletely filled and do not paint the right picture of the patient.

Methods

This was a cross-sectional study that audited 586 LRFs and specimen containers sent to the Mbarara University of Science and Technology (MUST) histopathology laboratory between July 2024 and September 2024 for their completeness and appropriateness. The main parameters considered were biodata, clinical history, clinician details, and hospital details.

Results

Overall, only 3.6% (21/586) of LRFs were appropriately filled. Of the 4 main parameters, biodata was the most filled at 54.1%, hos

SUBMITTER: Mitala Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12819987 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Jan-Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature