[Histonet] RE: Current Regs

[Terri Braud]

Message: 1
Date: Sat, 13 Dec 2008 09:44:39 -0500
From: thisisann <@t> aol.com
Subject: [Histonet] Grosser Requirements
To: histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.ed
I was recently informed the CAP's grossing requirements changed....I can not find anything about a change on their website.
Does anyone have the current regs in reference to educational requirements for Grossing?
Ann

Hey Ann - 
There were several changes in the 12/2006 checklist revision, especially in the NOTES sections of the questions, clarifying terms and definitions of the checklist questions.  The 9/2007 is the latest revision of the AP questions.
The link to the 9/2007 AP checklist questions is http://www.cap.org/apps/docs/laboratory_accreditation/checklists/anatomic_pathology_Sep07.doc
What you are looking for is on pages 21-24 of this checklist, and is pasted below:
 

ANP.11600             Phase II	N/A   YES   NO
Are all macroscopic tissue examinations performed by a pathologist or pathology resident, or under the supervision of a qualified pathologist?
NOTE:  Two levels of complexity of macroscopic tissue examination are defined, as follows:
1) Processing is defined as a tissue examination limited to description, inking and cutting of the specimen (if applicable), and submission of the entire specimen to histology.  Tissue processing can be performed according to standardized protocols.  Processing is generally limited to small specimens (skin ellipses, small biopsies, curettings, etc.) and does not require knowledge of anatomy.
2) Grossing (or gross examination) is defined as a tissue examination requiring a greater exercise of judgment and a knowledge of anatomy.  Dissection of the specimen and selection of tissue samples for submission to histology are generally required.  The specimen description is not necessarily standardized.
Specific requirements for supervision of non-pathologists who process specimens, or assist in grossing specimens, are given below.

ANP.11605             Phase II	N/A   YES   NO
When individuals other than a pathologist or pathology resident process specimens, or assist in gross examinations, is the extent of their activities (including the types of specimens examined) defined in a documented protocol?
NOTE:  This protocol must list the specific types of specimens that non-pathologists are permitted to process, and for which non-pathologists are permitted to assist in the gross examination.  The laboratory director is responsible for this protocol.


And NEW for 2006 altogether:

ANP.11665             Phase I	N/A   YES   NO
Are there written procedures for processing specimens?
NOTE:  This question refers to processing as defined in ANP.11600, and applies only to processing of specimens by non-pathologist individuals who are not qualified as high complexity testing personnel under CLIA-88.  

Terri L. Braud, HT(ASCP)
Anatomic Pathology Supervisor
Holy Redeemer Hospital and Medical Center
1648 Huntingdon Pike
Meadowbrook, PA 19046
(215) 938-3676 phone
(215) 938-3689 fax

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