Use of beads to meet auditing requirements in histopathology

Cast your mind back to your childhood, or perhaps to that of your children, when there was such a thing as Hama Beads scattered across the carpet. If that does not ring a bell, it may be that you belong to the minority who has not, once upon a time, sat down at a table to craft with these small, hollow, plastic beads. When used traditionally, they are placed on a pegboard to create a colourful design, which can be fused together using an iron. However, it has become apparent that recently Hama Beads are also being used equally as much within hospital environments. And the NHS has a far more practical use for them; one which might just surprise you.

Embedding with beads

It was recognised that these beads, originally manufactured for children as a craft toy, were being sent to hospitals more and more frequently. However, they were not being directed to children’s wards as an activity for the patients, as one might expect. Instead, the words ‘Pathology Department’ and ‘Histopathology Laboratory’ were appearing in the addresses of those ordering.