[Histonet] entering multiple specimens

[Jasper, Thomas G.]

Tom,

I concur with the responses you've already received to your posting.  I also
think it's good that your manager is trying to understand histology which
can be half the battle.  When surgical numbers are assigned the accession
number is a "case" number as well.  Perhaps if you could get her to look at
from a case perspective she'd grasp the concept more easily.  I'm sure you
receive what we call "gross only" cases.  There are no blocks generated and
our pathologist or PA will dictate a gross description (varicose vein for
example).  We do hold these specimens (like others, if there's remaining
tissue) but that's it, however it's still a case.  I know you know this but
maybe your manager doesn't.
So, gross only, is a separate case.  Multiple specimens from the same
patient during the same procedure, is a separate case.  Multiple specimens
from the same patient during the same procedure are not multiple cases.
Again, I know you know this, I'm just trying to help you with your manager.
Also if she could take a look at some path reports, maybe this whole case
stuff would come clear to her.  Can you imagine a pathologist putting
together a report with multiple specimens and commenting on each specimen as
another case number?  In a multiple specimen case, the specimens tie the
case together.  Maybe she could see the logic of that?
I've experienced, what I call, the "yoke of clinical lab" trying to be put
on us in pathology.  And you're right, a lot of these folks don't
understand.  Clinical lab doesn't always fit pathology.  I could go on but I
won't.  I hope this helps and good luck to you.

Thomas Jasper HT (ASCP) BAS
AP Supervisor
SMDC-Duluth, MN


-----Original Message-----
From: histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
[mailto:histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu]On Behalf Of Tom
McNemar
Sent: Monday, March 06, 2006 7:44 AM
To: 'histonet <@t> pathology.swmed.edu'
Subject: [Histonet] entering multiple specimens


A question has come up regarding how we enter our specimens.  My lab manager
is asking why we don't give each individual specimen a unique pathology
specimen number.  For example, if we receive a pair of tonsils in 2 separate
containers, she doesn't understand why we assign one surgical number and
list them as specimen 1 and 2 instead of giving them 2 unique surgical
numbers.  For something like a colonoscopy with 10 specimens that would be
10 unique surgical numbers and 10 reports.  I can't image anyone doing
this.... never heard of it being done but then I've only worked in 2 histo
labs.  I don't see it being done this way but I thought I'd ask.

So that's my question.  Does anybody do it this way?  It would seem to
really complicate things and a separate report would have to be issued for
each specimen number.  I'm sure our GI guys would love getting 14 or 15
separate repors for the same case..... 

My manager doesn't really understand histo but she tries really hard.  She
always trys to apply the rules of general lab to us.  Her argument is that
micro, heme, chemistry, etc. all give separate specimen numbers.


Tom McNemar, HT(ASCP)
Histology Co-ordinator
Licking Memorial Hospital
Newark, Ohio  43055 

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