SpeedsPath Glossary of Terms

Grossing

Description: Grossing is the process in anatomic pathology where tissue specimens are visually examined, measured, described, dissected, and prepared for further microscopic processing. In a pathology lab management software, the grossing module digitizes and standardizes this workflow, ensuring accuracy, traceability, and compliance with laboratory protocols.

Key Highlights

• Macroscopic Evaluation: Documents specimen size, weight, color, texture, and any visible abnormalities.
• Digital Gross Descriptions: Allows pathologists or grossing technicians to enter structured or free-text descriptions directly into the system.
• Image & Video Capture: Supports integration with grossing cameras and workstations to link images to cases.
• Cassette Assignment & Tracking: Manages how specimens are sectioned and assigned to tissue cassettes with barcodes.
• Template-Based Descriptions: Provides standardized grossing templates for different specimen types.
• Voice Dictation Support: Enables hands-free grossing dictation for faster workflow.
• Chain-of-Custody Tracking: Logs each step and user for compliance and audit purposes.
• Label Printing: Generates cassette and container labels with barcode technology.
• Quality & Compliance: Ensures adherence to CAP/CLIA documentation standards.
• Workflow Automation: Guides users through predefined steps to prevent omissions or errors.

FAQs

1. What is the purpose of grossing in a pathology laboratory?
   Grossing ensures that specimens are properly examined and sectioned so that relevant tissues are processed and reviewed microscopically by the pathologist.
2. How does grossing integrate with pathology lab management software?
   The software captures gross descriptions, assigns cassettes, stores images, prints labels, and tracks the workflow, creating a digital record for the entire process.
3. Can grossing be standardized using templates in LIMS?
   Yes. Templates for common specimen types (e.g., biopsies, resections) ensure consistency and reduce documentation errors.
4. Does the grossing module support voice dictation?
   Many LIMS platforms support integrated dictation systems or external voice-recognition tools to speed up grossing.
5. What is cassette assignment in grossing?
   It is the process of dividing the specimen into sections and mapping each piece to a labeled cassette for processing.
6. Can images of the specimen be uploaded during grossing?
   Yes. LIMS solutions often integrate with grossing cameras to capture and store images directly within the case record.
7. How does the system prevent errors during grossing?
   It uses barcode scanning, mandatory fields, step-by-step workflow prompts, and audit logs to reduce mistakes.
8. Is grossing data accessible to the histology team?
   Yes. Once grossing is completed, the histology team can view the descriptions, cassette list, and images for processing.
9. Can the software track who performed the grossing?
   Absolutely. User activity, timestamps, and actions are logged to ensure accountability and compliance.
10. Does grossing data become part of the final pathology report?
    Yes. The gross description is automatically incorporated into the final surgical pathology report along with the microscopic findings.

Want to learn more? Explore our LIS Glossary or check out our expert blogs on Anatomic Pathology, Molecular Diagnostics, Cytology, and Lab Information Systems.