BHB histopathology tests and post-mortem reports

Friday 10 November 2023: Bermuda Hospitals Board today communicated that there has been an increase in the turnaround time of its histology results and post-mortem reports. Other lab tests, such as blood and urine tests, are not impacted and results are being turned around within the usual timeframes.

The increase in turnaround time has been caused by a temporary staffing shortage in the Pathology Department. BHB currently has one consultant histopathologist and one histology technologist. Two additional staff members are going through the final stages of recruitment and BHB is in talks with overseas partners to assist if needed.

The staffing shortage is impacting the results of histology tests, which are the reviews of tissue samples. It is expected that the turnaround time will be reduced by December from three weeks (current turnaround time) to one week.

Post-mortem reports are currently taking some months to complete. There is not a delay in the autopsy itself, just the write up of findings.

Dr Wesley Miller, Chief of Staff, comments: “On behalf of BHB we apologise to patients and families for the current turnaround times for histology tests and post-mortem reports. We understand patients want their histology results as soon as possible and we are focusing on reducing the turnaround time for these tests as a matter of urgency. We also apologise to the families waiting for the post-mortem reports. We understand they also need these important documents. We are working very hard to reduce the turnaround time as well as to complete the recruitment processes for the staff who have been hired.”

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