How to Write Policies & Procedures for a Pathology Office

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By Jessie Fitzgerald
eHow Contributing Writer

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The policies and procedures manual for some companies is nothing more than an idealized perception of work flow. In a pathology office, however, many concerns are in play---beyond revenue---that require the composition of a solid policies and procedures manual. To write policies and procedures for a pathology office, the ethical, legal and medical requirements must act as guidelines. In addition, the document must contain a realistic depiction of work flow so you can perfect your pathology office's policies and procedures and maintain that perfection.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Drafting Policies and Procedures for a Pathology Office

Step 1

Define the parameters of your policies and procedures by examining medical, legal and ethical requirements for the care and handling of specimens.
Step 2

Document how your office's current work flow operates. Take note of what annotations are made on charts, how the specimen changes hands and how each task is eventually completed within your team.
Step 3

Determine the ethical, legal and medical concerns raised by your work-flow journal.
Step 4

Research, document and cite the requirements and standards your pathology office must meet. Draft your policies and procedures in declarative, precise statements.

Quality Control for Policies and Procedures in a Pathology Office

Step 1

Hire a specialized pathology office consultant firm and prepare a list of your concerns before the consultant's involvement.
Step 2

Ask for documentation to support each strategy the pathology office consultant offers.
Step 3

Negotiate a retainer fee service with the pathology office consultant to ensure consistent compliance and efficient administration.
Step 4

Compile your statements and the suggested items into a working draft of your pathology office policies and procedures.
Step 5

Call a team meeting to discuss the manual of policies and procedures for the pathology office. This will help ensure the policies are implemented.

Finishing Your Pathology Office Policies and Procedures

Step 1

Laminate working drafts of policies and procedures documents and allow each team member to write comments on them with a wet-erase felt-tip pen.
Step 2

Incorporate the suggestions of team members into the final policies and procedures document.
Step 3

Perform an internal audit of all policies and procedures to ensure ethical, medical and legal compliance.