[Histonet] Processing Specimens

Wed Apr 18 12:45:32 CDT 2007

Jesus,  You can't blame the doctors.  At a time when budgets are getting
tighter pathologists are understandably looking for the cheapest way to
get the job done.  There are too many histotechs that are happy in their
job and don't want to leave that they will comply with the pathologists
wishes.  Everyone these days wants the most "bang for their buck" so
until histotechs stand up and demand the extra money they deserve for
taking on added responsibilities then it will continue to happen. JTT
can attest to what I am saying.  If they think you won't leave you are
at their mercy.  Hopefully most of us work for decent appreciative
pathologists (like most of the ones I know) and don't have to worry
about this but a few of us aren't that lucky.  Like you I have an HT
background and am certified HT so I do understand the situation from an
HT perspective.  I just don't know what will happen if ever CAP and CLIA
should collide in court in a malpractice case.

Charles Embrey PA(ASCP)  

-----Original Message-----
From: histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
[mailto:histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of Jesus
Ellin
Sent: Wednesday, April 18, 2007 9:49 AM
To: histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
Subject: RE: [Histonet] Processing Specimens

 Now I feel a flame coming on,, is this just a way to put higher
responsibilites on Histotech and not receive additional pay??  Also is
this type of "processing"  addressed in the examination for a HT or HTL.
I think that the excuse that there are not enough personnel does not
warrant the fact that they are tyring to add additional duties on us
without having to increase pay.  

To many times Histotech have had to increase their burden to help with
shortages and additional testing duties.  When are we going to draw the
line and say "Why is CAP making decisions without first going through
ASCP and making sure that the people doing the work are properly trained
and are being tested for competencies!!""  

This is why we are seeing the shortages, additional responsibilites
without first providing way to succeed!!!  Please do not give me the
answer that the Pathologist over sees and is ultimaley responsible.  A
person working in the field is the one that is responsible for there
actions, I can just see with a skin elipse that the person does not ink
or proper orientate one time due to lack of knowledge or better yet they
forget to describe the right color or texture of a specimen since they
are only pouring things through a tea back or in a lens paper.

We are not mindless robots here, and that is how I feel CAP continues to
see us.  I am a HISTO TECH and proud, I am also a PA, for that matter
because of being a HT I have a better understanding on what quality
needs to come from sectioning properly and describing things properly,
WE ARE NOT MINDLESS ROBOTS!!!  Any takers

Jesus A. Ellin HT/PA ASCP
Yuma Regional Medical Center
Histology Systems Technologist
Pathology Information Systems
928-336-7444 or 928-336-1144
Fax: 928-336-7319

-----Original Message-----
From: histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
[mailto:histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of Lance
Erickson
Sent: Wednesday, April 18, 2007 7:12 AM
To: Amy Self; histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
Subject: RE: [Histonet] Processing Specimens

It seems the CAP has once again completely messed up on the wording of
checklist questions and left it up to vague interpretation as to what is
meant by their wording. In an unfortunate use of the word "processing"
the CAP has tried to make the "processing" of tissue into the gross
description of small and uncomplicated tissue types. How they came to
use this word is beyond common sense as the definition of tissue
processing in any AP lab has been set since the onset of the tissue
processing procedure when first used. This new CAP question is referring
to their definition of "processing" in the notes section of ANP 11600.
The set of questions 11600-11670 is about tissue grossing and not
histology tissue processing. In an apparent attempt to disregard the
standard set out by CLIA '88 for qualifications of the personnel
performing tissue gross, they are making this "processing" "generally
limited to small specimens (skin ellipses, small biopsies, curetting,
etc.)and does not require knowledge of anatomy" into something that can
be done by anyone in the lab.
Actual grossing is defined by CAP as "tissue examination requiring a
greater exercise of judgment and a knowledge of anatomy. 
If you have anyone that is grossing in small and non-complex specimens
then you need procedures for this. These people according to the CAP now
do not have to qualify as "high complexity testing personnel" under
CLIA-88.

Lance Erickson
Salt Lake City, UT  

-----Original Message-----
From: histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
[mailto:histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of Amy Self
Sent: Tuesday, April 17, 2007 1:33 PM
To: histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
Subject: [Histonet] Processing Specimens

	Hello Histonetters,

	I was just thumbing through the checklist and came across a NEW
question and wanted to see how some of you answered or 	would answer the
following question;   Thanks in advance,  Amy

	ANP 11665
	Are there written procedures for processing specimens.
	NOTE: this question applies if a non-pathologists process
specimens.

	Amy Self
	Georgetown Memorial Hospital

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