In pathology, the awe-inspiring advances in diagnostics often grab headlines: molecular assays, digital AI analysis, augmented intelligence. But beneath these innovations lies a critical, yet underappreciated, foundation—grossing.
Every diagnosis begins with an older, overlooked step—grossing—where specimens are inspected, measured, and prepared for analysis. This process is vital, but it remains one of the most manual, inconsistent, and under-innovated parts of clinical care.
When grossing is slow or inaccurate, delays and errors can ripple downstream, impacting patient outcomes. As Soufiane Zakaria Azdad, MD, highlights in The Pathologist, it’s time to bring precision, consistency, and traceability to the bench.
Why Grossing Needs to Change
- High stakes: Even minor mistakes at this stage can affect diagnostic accuracy.
- Outdated methods: Many labs still rely on tools and workflows unchanged for decades.
- New possibilities: Automation, digital imaging, and AI can standardize processes and capture valuable data.
The Challenge: Antiquated Tools, High Stakes
Imagine using a tape measure to determine a tumor’s size—while a caliper would offer far greater precision. This was the stark realization of author Soufiane Azdad when he compared pathology’s traditional toolkit to the precision demanded in modern diagnostics. The Pathologist
The stakes couldn’t be higher: pathology error rates range from 1% to 43%, depending on the type and context. Even small mishaps during grossing can cascade into misdiagnoses with dire consequences. Yet, despite being the starting point of every diagnostic journey, grossing remains one of the most manual and variable steps. The Pathologist
The Opportunity: Digitize and Standardize
Modern pathology workflows are undergoing seismic shifts. Innovations like digital pathology systems, automated grossing stations, AI-powered analysis, and cloud-based platforms are showing what’s possible.
- Digital imaging and remote consultation tools can slash turnaround times by up to 30 percent P Market Research.
- Automation and robotics bring reproducibility and reduce human error when preparing samples P Market Research.
- AI models can detect anomalies with 95%+ accuracy—acting as powerful second eyes to pathologists P Market Research.
- Digital tracking and specimen traceability provide a level of oversight that today’s fast-food delivery apps offer—but for patient samples.
Why Now? The Imperative for Pathology Labs
- Patient Outcomes Depend on It: Every delay or misstep in grossing risks misdiagnosis.
- Efficiency Gains Are at Stake: Automated workflows save time, labor, and operational costs.
- Technology Has Arrived: From robotics to AI to digital twins, the tools exist to revolutionize pre-analytics. BioMed Central
- Global Need for Traceability: Many regions still lack robust systems for sample tracking and quality control. Google Patents
The Path Forward: A Vision for the Future
Revolutionizing grossing isn’t about replacing pathologists—it’s about equipping them with tools to do their best work faster and more accurately. Modernizing this foundational step will improve efficiency, protect quality, and, most importantly, lead to better patient outcomes.
- Build Awareness: Educate the pathology community on the hidden vulnerabilities of grossing.
- Deploy AI and Automation: Integrate data-driven tools into everyday grossing workflows.
- Prioritize Traceability: Ensure every specimen’s journey is recorded and verifiable.
- Enhance Training and Guidance: Provide real-time support with digital resources right at the grossing station.
The future of pathology starts at the bench. Let’s make it count.