When recording test results on IHC, what is the proper date to use?

The proper date to use when recording test results on an Immunohistochemistry (IHC) report is the date the sample was collected. This practice is important for several reasons. It establishes a clear timeline for the sample's lifecycle, ensuring accurate tracking of the associated patient or case and compliance with regulatory standards. The collection date reflects when the specimen was available for testing, which is critical for understanding the context of the results, including potential influences on the sample integrity and relevance of the findings to the patient's condition at that time.

Using the sample collection date helps maintain consistency in record-keeping and ensures that results can be correlated with the appropriate clinical timeline. This is essential for effective communication among veterinary professionals, laboratory personnel, and in fostering trust in diagnostic outcomes. Contemporaneous record-keeping supports proper veterinary care as it documents the timeline of patient management and supports evidence-based treatment decisions.