Histotalks: Nsh Podcasts

P06-Understanding the Quality of your Electron Microscopy Provider in this Era of Outsourcing of Services- Tracey de Haro MSc, FIBMS, UK NEQAS CPT TEM Scheme Coordinator Specialist Scientific Lead for Electron Microscopy University Hospitals Of Leicester NHS Trust, UK  Background Electron Microscopy (EM) remains vital to the diagnostic repertoire for the diagnosis of pathologies. Surveys of diagnostic TEM units in the UK were carried out in 2012, in 2019 (unpublished) and is currently being repeated. These surveys showed that a large amount of EM is now outsourced to units away from the originating trust. Whether UK or globally, when pathology departments are looking for a supplier of diagnostic EM services, the only questions they ask of the EM units are “how much does it cost” and “what is your turnaround time?” Are these the only relevant questions to ask? Considerations The following relevant issues should be considered alongside cost and speed; The technical quality of an electron microscopy service;