[Histonet] Breast Lecture

[Jim Ball]

      I have been ask to present a lecture on breast Biopsies  to the West 
Virginia Radiology Society.  I would like to give them some insight into the 
proper handling of the biopsies before they are brought to the histology 
department.  This will cover the most mundane items such as proper 
Demographics, proper labeling of the specimen, types of transport media, 
etc........, but while I was discussing this with a pathologist he mentioned 
it would be nice if the orders stated if the patient were pregnant or not.  
He was well aware he could look it up in the history, but felt it could save 
time if it were stated on the request.  This got me to thinking and my 
thoughts turned to histonet.  So if any of you would like to share some time 
saving protocols and procedures that I could review for the lecture please 
forward them to me and the NET.
      The title of the lecture will be "It's All UP Front".  I only include 
the title in hopes it will jog a few brain cells and you'll think of other 
areas that might contribute to the histology department being able to 
improve patient care if everything is done right in the beginning.  I would 
be very interested in knowing how you anticipate or should I say plan for 
the worst case scenario, since we usually have very small samples when it 
comes to needle biopsies.  I am looking for ways that maxamizes the sample 
for not only testing today, but also testing in the future.