[Histonet] Unregistered HT testing

[joelle weaver]

CLIA does stipulate education requirements though for high complexity( I don't have it handy, but I do recall it is quite specific).Yes "interpretation" differs from performance. But we are not interpreting for diagnosis anyhow, but we do have to make technical assessments, corrections,  and I think you need some insight to do that effectively.  As I recall from CLIA, IHC/ISH is clearly under high complexity. But I can think of some histochemical staining ( such as enzyme muscle histochemistry) that might also be considered high complexity. I know for grossing, it is also an issue.  Even if ASCP certification is not specifically stipulated in CLIA ,  I think that is is implied , in that the education stipulations are roughly equivalent to the criteria for HT certification- (associates with qtr. hours needed in science, chemistry etc). So yes I guess anyone can learn to put on and take off slides on a stainer and execute any process or procedure when trained to do so. The "rub" for me though is that I personally have observed that when people don't have training or education in histology ( formal or informal), they don't know how the stain works, or what it should show,  so they are not adept at review of stained slides, and are not able to troubleshoot stain problems etc. I think that this should be part of the expectation, but that is an opinion,  not I guess actually regulated as a requirement. I do think that CAP pretty much stipulates this expectation via competency requirements, but that is how I interpret it. Certification is just a means to communicate that you have satisfied the criteria, which should say that you have this underlying knowledge and understanding- knowing science just forms the basis for this understanding.  I think good in house laboratory training and competency assessment could be an alternate route to that goal in places where more academic training opportunities are scarce. 




Joelle Weaver MAOM, HTL (ASCP) QIHC
 > Date: Wed, 18 Apr 2012 10:43:22 -0400
> From: mjdessoye <@t> commonwealthhealth.net
> To: NKonop <@t> chw.org; histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
> Subject: RE: [Histonet] Unregistered HT testing
> CC: 
> 
> Our interpretation of special stains/IHC/ISH is that it is the
> 'interpretation' of these stains that is 'high complexity'.  I believe
> that CLIA is the place where 'high complexity' is defined (although CAP
> may expand on this) and CLIA does not recognize ASCP registration.
> 
> Michael J. Dessoye, M.S. | Histology Supervisor | Wilkes-Barre General
> Hospital | An Affiliate of Commonwealth Health |
> mjdessoye <@t> commonwealthhealth.net | 575 N. River Street | Wilkes Barre,
> PA 18764 | Tel: 570-552-1432 | Fax: 570-552-1526 
> 
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Konop, Nicole [mailto:NKonop <@t> chw.org] 
> Sent: Tuesday, April 17, 2012 3:37 PM
> To: 'histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu'
> Subject: [Histonet] Unregistered HT testing
> 
> Hello everyone!
> 
> I'm just curious to know if anyone is allowing unregistered HT's to do
> special stains in their CAP accredited lab?  I have been involved in
> discussions regarding high complexity testing.  From the feedback I have
> received, special stains and IHC stains are considered high complexity
> testing.  I beg to disagree.  I can understand IHC/ISH as high
> complexity but I don't think routine special stains fall under that
> category.  I'd appreciate any feedback or literature you can reference
> for me to review.  Thank you!
> 
> Nicole Anne Konop BS, HTL(ASCP)
> Histology Team Lead
> Children's Hospital of Wisconsin
> (414)266-6580 Direct Line
> (414)907-0366 Pager
> (414)266-2524 Histology Department
> 
> 
> 
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