Resident's Guide to Pathological Anatomy

Head of the Teaching Unit:
Joan Carlos Ferreres

Tutors:
Maria Rosa Escoda Giralt
Marta Vidal Borrego

Contact:
93 723 10 10 ext. 80708 
93 745 82 73
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Accredited places: 2 per year

Microscope with microscopic image. Fotolia © Franz Pfluegl

 

MEF Program Summary

The specialty

Pathological Anatomy is the branch of medicine that deals with the study, through morphological and molecular techniques, of the causes, development and consequences of diseases, providing the correct diagnosis of biopsies, surgical pieces, cytologies and autopsies.

The Pathological Anatomy includes all areas of specific training that are implicit in the previous name (Gastrointestinal Pathology, Endocrine Pathology, Neuropathology, Pediatric Pathology, Cytopathology, Gynecological Pathology, Dermatopathology, Nephropathology, Hepatopathology, Osteoarticular Pathology , Uropathology, Hematopathology ...).

The purpose of the Pathological Anatomy residency is to get the doctor who specializes in training to assume the educational objectives considered in the educational program of the specialty. The method to follow consists of active learning, with progressive responsibility in the tasks of the Service, supervised directly by the members of the staff and in the understanding, in addition, of the need to be involved in the care teams to enhance interprofessional work as an engine of quality care.

Service Description

The Pathological Anatomy Service is a central service responsible for autopsies, biopsies, surgical parts and cytology at the Hospital. The Service is computerized, with a teaching and photographic archive.

The service has been accredited for the postgraduate training of residents in the specialty since 1994, and undergraduate teaching has also been given to students of the degree in Medicine since the 2008-09 academic year. Since February 2023, it has ISO 15189 accreditation for the scope of gynecological diagnosis (cytologies, biopsies, surgical pathology, HPV detection and genotyping) and flexible scope of immunohistochemical techniques.

It is located in the semi-basement and has a physical space of 700 m2, where the areas of autopsies, surgical pathology, cytology, molecular pathology, administrative field, offices, session room and microphotography and immunofluorescence room are duly separated and equipped.

Service Structure

Autopsy area

  • Necropsy table, dissection table and macroscopic photography area.

Surgical pathology

  • Room for inclusion and macroscopic study of surgical parts and sample collection by Biobank.
  • General Laboratory: block preparation and cutting area, HE staining and slide mounting area, special staining area (histochemistry and immunofluorescence), immunohistochemistry area and scanner.

Molecular pathology

DNA extraction and molecular study techniques, fragment PCR, pyrosequencing, in situ hybridization techniques (FISH-CISH), NGS and digital PCR are carried out.

Cytology

  • Laboratory: which receives the samples and is responsible for the processing and staining of exfoliative, gynecological and PAAF cytologies.
  • Office of cytotechnicians dedicated to screening of cytological extensions, determination of the human papilloma virus (with the Cobas 4800 platform) and processing and on-site assessment of Echoendoscopic, Echobronchoscopic and thyroid punctures.

Administrative field

  • Includes sample reception area, reports and archive.

Other complementary spaces

  • Offices
  • Residence Hall
  • Session Room: consists of microscope for 9 observers with attached video camera, projector, screen and computer-
  • Immunofluorescence and FISH room
  • Archive of paraffin blocks and laminates
  • Warehouse

Professionals

The staff that is part of the teaching unit is represented by 13 specialist doctors who deal with different pathologies, 2 molecular biologists, 5 cytotechnicians, 15 laboratory technicians and 4 administrative staff.