[Histonet] Information Systems: Specimen Tracking & MiddleWare

Thu Mar 26 15:52:27 CDT 2009

I am very passionate about this as well! Yes, you may "use" my line- but if you could, and it fits into the conversation, indicate that it was histotech that said it! I completely agree that the best use of technology, such as bar coding is to incorporate it.- and especially true in light of the histology process which is "peppered" if you will, with intensly manual steps.

Our field will never catch up in advancement until more people accept this notion. So what you are saying really does not come across as a "pitch" to me, because I think it just makes sense.
 Regards-

Joelle Weaver HTL (ASCP)

From: mike <@t> pathview.com
To: joelleweaver <@t> hotmail.com; histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
Subject: RE: [Histonet] Information Systems: Specimen Tracking & MiddleWare
Date: Thu, 26 Mar 2009 08:08:32 -0500

Quote:  You cannot check a process step which introduces human errors of oversight and transcription with another process that introduces the same type of error potential.

I love that line.  May I use it?  

The only thing I would add is a subtlety.  The easiest way to use barcoding in any information system is to just ‘add it on’.  A truly efficient system INCORPORATES the technology.  What do I mean?  Here’s an example:

In Scenario 1:  bar coded cassettes are printing at accessioning.  They are then moved to the gross area with the requisitions and specimen.  However, we know that cassettes can be separated from the requisitions and specimen, so some systems have you scan the specimen and each block to confirm that they match.  This is an example of an ‘add on’ functionality.  The additional step to scan the specimen and blocks has been added.  This increases quality at the cost of more work.

In Scenario 2:  bar coded cassettes are printed at the grossing station by scanning the bar code on the specimen label.  Only the blocks for that specimen are printed.  This provides the same increase in quality WITHOUT any extra work.  This is an example of an ‘incorporated’ technology.

The difference between the two philosophies is huge and it’s a hard one to ferret out by simply reading product brochures because in both scenarios ‘barcodes are used’.

…but you have to ask yourself, which system would you use?

And finally, I apologize if this is coming across as a sales pitch, but I’m very, very passionate about work flow analysis.  The best systems out there don’t just collect information, they help you get your work done faster, better, etc.  and you can’t do that without analyzing how work flows to the department, within the department, and out of the department.

Michael Mihalik
PathView Systems | cell: 214.733.7688 | 800.798.3540 | fax: 270.423.0968

From: joelle weaver [mailto:joelleweaver <@t> hotmail.com] 
Sent: Thursday, March 26, 2009 5:09 AM
To: mike <@t> pathview.com; Histonet
Subject: RE: [Histonet] Information Systems: Specimen Tracking & MiddleWare

Thanks for posting this.I just couldn't help commenting on this post because as a working histologist,  I have tried to convince managers in the past who have tried to recituify the need for specimen tracking in histology, and the general situation with very time consuming, tedious and inaccurate manual transcription steps in the effort to create tracking and not have to buy anything. I have printed off information from vendor websites, showing that middleware was not always needed, and presented this information to them, but they just don't believe it. Lack of understanding I think, caused them to instead go with manual the manual processes to create a "paper trail". Even in this day and age, people are surprisingly afraid of, and unaware of technology. In my experience, these manual processes are marginally effective at  best, and of course moved the process away from efficiency and reliability, not to mention frustrated employees who are already struggling to get their work done with time pressures and staffing constraints. My position has always been that computer systems are very good at some things, such as repetitive information processing, and they do not get tired, transpose numbers etc. Please use them for this!You cannot check a process step which introduces humam errors of oversight and transcription with another process that introduces the same type of error potential. To do so, merely expands the opportunity for this kind of error to pass farther into the process. As a working histologist, I do wish that people would not be so afraid of technology in our field, and use it to improve and update histology processes.More education is needed! So keep posting this type of information. Only by incorporating this aspect will the field be able to move forward and keep pace with the other areas of the laboratory and medical practice in general. 

Joelle Weaver HTL (ASCP)

> From: mike <@t> pathview.com
> To: histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
> Date: Wed, 25 Mar 2009 08:46:11 -0500
> Subject: [Histonet] Information Systems: Specimen Tracking & MiddleWare
> 
> Good morning,
> 
> I was just at the Lab Infotech Summit in Las Vegas last week where the
> subject of the conference was informatics in Anatomic and Clinical
> Pathology. Along with the usual seminars were the usual vendors in the
> exhibitor's hall demonstrating and talking about their products and
> services.
> 
> As one of those vendors, I had the opportunity to talk to a few people and a
> general trend appeared to merge -- one which I would like to dispel, if
> possible.
> 
> I'd like to make sure that everyone is aware that you do NOT have to have
> middleware in order to have bar coded cassettes, slides, etc., and you do
> NOT have to have middleware in order to have specimen/material tracking.
> Let me explain.
> 
> If, on the one hand, you are quite content with your current information
> system and you simply wish to add barcodes and specimen tracking and you do
> not want to work with your information system vendor because either they
> don't have this capability or for some other reason, then YES, middleware is
> a viable alternative.
> 
> On the other hand, if you are planning to purchase a new Information System
> for your laboratory, then by all means, DEMAND of your new vendor, the
> ability to have barcoded everything and to have specimen tracking built into
> your new information system. There are lots of good reasons to have all
> this capability in your information system and not in some middleware
> product. I'd be happy to discuss the reasons for my statements, but I've
> taken up enough of everyone's time. If you'd like to hear more, then
> please, just ask.
> 
> I just thought everyone should know...
> 
> 
> 
> 
> Michael Mihalik
> PathView Systems | cell: 214.733.7688 | 800.798.3540 | fax: 270.423.0968
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
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> Histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
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