[Histonet] cytology screening requirements

[Sharon Osborn]

Terri and Allysa,

      Terri, just reading what you have written about CLIA '88 regs for
Cytology screening reminds me why I no longer do cytology and just do
histology.  I did both for over 15 years, leaving several years prior to
CLIA 88.  I worked in  rural area designated as a regional medical center.
We had two pathologists, 2 histotechs, 1 cyto tech(me) plus I was backup
histo.  I did ALL the cytology prep work, staining, cover slipping,
screening, filing and ordering.  The secretary did the recording and the
billing.  My work was very interesting for I saw it all in fluids and Paps.
We had some very progressive specialist clinicians so that when needle
aspirates first came out, we were doing them.  My pathologists' attitude was
that any meeting/training was worth it if we learned one thing well and
implemented it.  They would challenge me and I would challenge them on new
technics, ideas and best health care practice.  Some days a person can
screen more slides while other days screen less.  This can be due to the
type/quality of the slide, or a number of different variables. This was the
days before Thin Prep when the spatula was used to scrap the cervix.  The
quality of the slides depended upon the skill of the clinician or whomever
was doing the scraping.    My pathologists did a 10% rescreen of my work
before it was a requirement because we felt that was the correct process for
continuing evaluation.  

     

Sharon Osborn

IHC-QC

ThermoFisherScientific

Fremont, CA