[Histonet] High Complexity Testing

Tue Feb 8 11:43:55 CST 2011

Hi All,

There is a difference in performing a task (immunostaining) that is complex, and performing "high complexity testing" as the CLIA regulations govern.  

Yes, staining is a complex task, and it requires knowlegable techs to ensure that it is properly done, and to troubleshoot difficulties when necessary.  

It is "high complexity testing" because "testing personnel" in anatomic pathology are pathologists (and the non-physician people performing gross examinations, who must meet "high complexity testing personnel" requirements. 

"Testing personnel" as defined by CLIA, are the people that report results of that test, not people who perform other related duties.

That's my explanation of the whole mess.

Bonnie Whitaker
AP Operations Director
Ohio State University Medical Center
Department of Pathology
614.293.5048

-----Original Message-----
From: histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu [mailto:histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of Goins, Tresa
Sent: Tuesday, February 08, 2011 12:22 PM
To: Horn, Hazel V; 'Rene J Buesa'; histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu; Sheila Fonner
Subject: RE: [Histonet] High Complexity Testing

I must disagree with this assessment of what makes a test complex.  If the test is done properly [the responsibility of the technologist] then the reading to the test is a visual determination that requires experience on the part of the pathologist, but if the test is not done properly, will the pathologist be able to tell the technologist what to do to fix the problem? 

Where's the Tylenol?

-----Original Message-----
From: histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu [mailto:histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of Horn, Hazel V
Sent: Tuesday, February 08, 2011 9:58 AM
To: 'Rene J Buesa'; histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu; Sheila Fonner
Subject: RE: [Histonet] High Complexity Testing

While the test is high complexity it is the READING of the test by the pathologist that determines its complexity.  Because histotechs do not report the results our part of this test is not high complexity.

Hazel Horn
Hazel Horn, HT/HTL (ASCP)
Supervisor of Autopsy/Histology/Transcription Arkansas Children's Hospital
1 Children's Way    Slot 820
Little Rock, AR   72202

phone   501.364.4240
fax        501.364.3155

visit us on the web at:    www.archildrens.org

-----Original Message-----
From: histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu [mailto:histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of Rene J Buesa
Sent: Tuesday, February 08, 2011 10:32 AM
To: histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu; Sheila Fonner
Subject: Re: [Histonet] High Complexity Testing

When a "machine" is doing the test, there are stringent provisions as to the preparation and validations of the test.
Done manually, it requires a trained technologists and, yes, they are high complexity tests (both IHC and FISH, and their variations).
René J.

--- On Tue, 2/8/11, Sheila Fonner <sfonner <@t> labpath.com> wrote:

From: Sheila Fonner <sfonner <@t> labpath.com>
Subject: [Histonet] High Complexity Testing
To: histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
Date: Tuesday, February 8, 2011, 7:45 AM

Hello All,

I would really appreciate it if anyone has information on whether IHC/ISH are considered high complexity testing for histotechs.  Our pathologist believes that ALL histology low complexity testing since a "machine" is doing the work.  Can anyone help me out with some guidelines, literature, etc. that says otherwise?  I would really appreciate it.  We just want to know which one it is.

Thanks so much Histoland!

_______________________________________________
Histonet mailing list
Histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet

_______________________________________________
Histonet mailing list
Histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet

******************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************
The information contained in this message may be privileged and confidential and protected from disclosure. If the reader of this message is not the intended recipient, or an employee or agent responsible for delivering this message to the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any dissemination, distribution or copying of this communication is strictly prohibited. If you have received this communication in error, please notify us immediately by replying to the message and deleting it from your computer.
Thank you.

_______________________________________________
Histonet mailing list
Histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet

_______________________________________________
Histonet mailing list
Histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet