[Histonet] Information Systems: Specimen Tracking & MiddleWare

Fri Mar 27 07:37:25 CDT 2009

I do agree that computers are tools that are indeed an asset to anatomic
path laboratories.  Michael I applaud you for your efforts in getting
the staff and engaging them.  This is the basis of my entire theory, in
order to create efficiencies within histology that there are 3 distinct
area of the process  Histology, Transcription, and Pathologist.  Unlike
the clinical laboratory we are not a straight test result type of
methodology, rather a fair straight forward process that has
inter-connected components.  Those components have for so long relied o
the fact of internal checks and balances, but with the explosion that
has happened within AP in the last 10-15 years we are seeing those
checks and balances begin to have cracks and stress points.   

I would applaud anyone that takes advance courses in anything, but I
would caution an IT person looking at Anatomic Pathology that does not
have the clinical background that is necessary to see the cracks and
stress points.  I use PowerPath as my LIS and as the University of
Washington our facility has made strides in stream lining and innovation
with our LIS,, but I am open to help anyone that is looking to get
information on this subject. 

Jesus A Ellin  HT/PA  ASCP

Department of Pathology/Histology

Yuma Regional Medical Center

2400 South Ave A

Yuma, AZ  85364 - 7170

( Office:  (928) 336-1743

(    Fax:  (928) 336-7319

*    Email: jellin <@t> yumaregional.org 

-----Original Message-----
From: histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
[mailto:histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of joelle
weaver
Sent: Friday, March 27, 2009 2:48 AM
To: mike <@t> pathview.com; Histonet
Subject: RE: [Histonet] Information Systems: Specimen Tracking &
MiddleWare

Yes, I do agree, that is why I call it a "tool" for people to use. I
think that it is a stereotype to think that histologists are not
experienced or knowledgable about computers. There are some histologists
who have had a fairly good introduction to computer systems, how
computers work, what they can and cannot do, software, applications,
interfaces, databases, and have worked with 5 or more LIS systems,
barcodes etc. Though admittedly, in my experience this is a rarity. Most
of what I have learned about computers, I have gotten from formal
classes, but I also have used this knowledge in other arenas, and wish I
could use it more in my job. I am just not fortunate enough to have been
given the opportunity to have much influence on the processes, or the
computer systems. I think that many who have been promoted into
management simply also accept this stereotype that histologists know
only technical information, and so we are not consulted, though we do
the work everyday.I wish that you could come to our lab and educate
those who have been given this authority! I would love to have a
"computer geek" come to our lab and inform us of what is available to
help us to our jobs better.

Joelle Weaver HTL (ASCP)

> From: mike <@t> pathview.com
> To: joelleweaver <@t> hotmail.com; jellin <@t> yumaregional.org; 
> histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
> Subject: RE: [Histonet] Information Systems: Specimen Tracking & 
> MiddleWare
> Date: Thu, 26 Mar 2009 18:14:21 -0500
> 
> People are always at the forefront. Someone has to build that new 
> tool, or come up with some new process or whatever. That's why before 
> we do any installation of our software, we spend what probably amounts

> to 100 to 200 hours interviewing and watching each clerk, PA, 
> histotech, secretary, cytotech, and pathologist and THEN we propose 
> how we would install and tailor our software. By the way, at the end 
> of that analysis, people are usually pretty tired of hearing me ask 
> 'why do you do that', but guess what
> -- you are way, way more likely to get 'buy in' from the staff. That 
> tech you spoke to at 3 a.m. remembers that some computer geek took the

> time and effort and asked them how they would do things better.
> 
> 
> ...but let me address a real world issue. I am not versed in the 
> technologies of many aspects of the AP/Cytology department (you'll 
> never hear me speak on subjects of which stainer is better for 
> instance), but I do know a few things about work flow and 
> computerization. I like to illustrate via example, so let's try this
one:
> 
> In the real world, a histotechnologist may have only worked in let's 
> say 3 or 4different labs in their life, and perhaps only 1 or 2 
> different computer systems. With that background, how are they 
> supposed to know what's possible or not possible to do with computer 
> technology. Personally, I think it's the job of the LIS vendor to work

> TOGETHER with the histotechnologist and other department personnel to 
> come up with better solutions. In this example, each side has 
> knowledge and experience that needs to be conveyed to the other. When 
> that communication occurs, magic happens. Barcodes are not the magic. 
> It's how you use those barcodes in your work flow.
> 
> 
> It's always about the people.
> 
> 
> Michael Mihalik
> PathView Systems | cell: 214.733.7688 | 800.798.3540 | fax: 
> 270.423.0968
> 
> 
> 
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
> [mailto:histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of joelle

> weaver
> Sent: Thursday, March 26, 2009 4:53 PM
> To: jellin <@t> yumaregional.org; Histonet
> Subject: RE: [Histonet] Information Systems: Specimen Tracking & 
> MiddleWare
> 
> 
> Well, I can't speak for everyone of course, but I know in the program 
> that I am affiliate with that we stress, if not require, thinking 
> beyond the manual methods. In fact, I really see an in depth 
> understanding of basic manual histology methods as only a beginning 
> point to how I want the future histologists to think and apply their 
> technical knowledge.I encourage this at every opportunity myself, in 
> every course. Crtical thinking skills, process thinking and the 
> ability to see how our function fits into total laboratory and 
> diagnostic patient services is stressed. I see it as imperative that 
> this is incorporated into training in formal programs and within the 
> lab. We cannot afford to not further this trend. I really don't see
any other alternative really.
> 
> If you look at newer instrumentation, it really is little more than a 
> computer with software and application interfaces connected to the 
> mechanics that perform the tasks of histology. Technology is really 
> just another tool at our disposal to perform our jobs better. We in 
> histology, are due to begin to merge and become cohesive with the 
> totality of healthcare delivery and to begin to operate in such a 
> parallel manner. I believe that the emerging histologist will be 
> better armed with a broader educational background that provides this 
> insight,due to more structured training program requirments. I for
one, certainly hope that this is the "next wave"
> of evolution in our practice! 
> 
> Joelle Weaver HTL(ASCP)
> 
> > Subject: RE: [Histonet] Information Systems: Specimen Tracking &
> MiddleWare
> > Date: Thu, 26 Mar 2009 14:10:14 -0700
> > From: JEllin <@t> yumaregional.org
> > To: joelleweaver <@t> hotmail.com
> > 
> > I want to throw this notion out there as well,, how are we training 
> > our techs to think? I would say that the majority of the histology 
> > programs still teach to manual methodology rather than to think out 
> > of the box and provide a total solution to the problem (with work 
> > flow and technology). In my experience I see that people tend to 
> > take technology and imitate their current manual process's rather 
> > than looking at improving the current one. I like to hear what other

> > people think on this matter? It seems to me that there is a hunger 
> > for this technology within the histology community but a lack of 
> > knowledge on how to implement a viable solution to our current
manual problems..
> > 
> > We are starting to see the coming of age again, an evolution within 
> > our field were a technology similar to IHC, FISH, etc, will change 
> > the course on how we tend to do things in the future. But we are not

> > educating our selves or our replacements, on how to handle these
issues.
> > We cannot continue to solve a problem at the same level of thinking 
> > as the previous solution. We need to begin to have a culture and 
> > environmental shift in order for this technology to be adapted by 
> > the industry. But people we are not looking at the downstream affect

> > of what our actions are, for example transcription, pathologist, 
> > send out etc.. I am also very passionate about this..
> > 
> > The University of Washington has done some excellent work on this 
> > solution from a histology level and as for Path view, I have heard 
> > good things, but you all mention barcode, incorporation, and 
> > technology. But what I have not heard is that it is the people that 
> > drive this to the fore front. This would create a "Anatomic 
> > Histo/Pathology Improvement System" were technology, methodology 
> > improvement, and people come together to create an efficient way to
handle our issues.
> > 
> > Sorry for the long winded remark but I am also passionate about this
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > Jesus A Ellin HT/PA ASCP
> > 
> > Department of Pathology/Histology
> > 
> > Yuma Regional Medical Center
> > 
> > 2400 South Ave A
> > 
> > Yuma, AZ 85364 - 7170
> > 
> > ( Office: (928) 336-1743
> > 
> > ( Fax: (928) 336-7319
> > 
> > * Email: jellin <@t> yumaregional.org
> > 
> > 
> > 
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> 
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