Tissue block archiving and storage: security and traceability in Wales

The pathology department at the University Hospital of Wales Cardiff (UHW Cardiff) is responsible for carrying out processing of patient tissue for diagnosis of cancers and other diseases. In 2016 it processed almost 45,000 patient cases, leading to the production of around 85,000 blocks and over 600 mega blocks. All of these must be retained and stored securely in case of recall for further investigation or treatment. As part of technological advancement, the department recently invested in the Thermo Scientific Arcos block management system to facilitate ordered and traceable storage of patient blocks, with simple retrieval.

Management profile

The University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff first opened in 1971 and is part of the Cardiff University School of Medicine. Previously part of Cardiff & Vale NHS Trust, the hospital is now operated by the University Health Board and, as the largest hospital in Wales, serves a population of over 450,000. Its focus is on caring for people and keeping them well. Lean workflow is a key part of practice, enabling the hospital to maximise throughput and achieve best possible turnaround times and minimal costs.