[Histonet] Resolution of 37% case

[Gladney, Diane C Ms MACH]

As always, the Histotech gets the blame.  The surgeon is never wrong and
refuses to listen to the one person that has the expertise to know that
he is "way off base" to ask for 37% formaldehyde. Thankfully, the
patient's specimen wasn't totally ruined since the Histotech did the
right thing when it arrived at the lab.  It gets very frustrating to be
treated like you are an idiot.  The Histotechs are still the "red-headed
step children" of the lab and our profession is not given the respect
that it deserves.  I have to deal with this prejudice each and every
day. It doesn't help when your pathologist tells you to do whatever the
surgeon wants knowing full well that the surgeon is wrong. Now that I
have that off my chest, keep doing the great job that you do for your
patients.  Stay strong and stand your ground.  This is the only way that
I have been able to make a difference.  I have had the rare opportunity
to have a pathologist that would not let the surgeons "walk all over"
his histotechs.  Hang in there!

Happy Cutting,
Diane

Diane C. Gladney, HT (ASCP) 
Supervisor, Histology/Cytology 
Moncrief Army Community Hospital 
Dept. of Pathology 
4500 Stuart Avenue 
P.O. Box 484 
Ft. Jackson, SC  29207 

Email:  diane.gladney <@t> se.amedd.army.mil 
Phone:  803-751-2530  FAX:  803-751-7829 

-----Original Message-----
From: histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
[mailto:histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of Linda
Blazek
Sent: Friday, February 04, 2005 3:21 PM
To: histonet <@t> pathology.swmed.edu
Subject: [Histonet] Resolution of 37% case

Dear all,
Thanks to all that responded to my question about a surgeon putting a
liver biopsy in "formaldehyde".  All of the responses lightened the day.
 And now the results are in.
 
1.  The "meek" (formerly cranky) surgeon admitted there must have been
a misunderstanding between himself and his surgery tech team, but the
histo tech. should have known that there was a misunderstanding and
should have not sent the 37%.
2.  The specimen survived abet some formalin pigment.
Thanks again to all!
 
 
 
 
Linda  Blazek, HT (ASCP)
Department of Pathology
Children's Medical Center
Dayton, Ohio  45404
(937) 641-3358
fax (937)641-5482
blazekl <@t> childrensdayton.org

_______________________________________________
Histonet mailing list
Histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet