[Histonet] Block Counts

Tue Jan 13 05:07:16 CST 2015

I have never really cared how fast or how many blocks can be embedded or cut per hour. I have always focused on the quality. In a hospital setting there is too much variety to have set numbers. 

Tom Podawiltz HT (ASCP)
Histology Section Head 
LRGHealthcare
Laconia, NH 03246

-----Original Message-----
From: histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu [mailto:histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of WILLIAM DESALVO
Sent: Monday, January 12, 2015 6:18 PM
To: Morken, Timothy
Cc: histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu; Goins, Tresa; Diana McCaig; Ellen
Subject: Re: [Histonet] Block Counts 

This discussion is exactly why we do not count blocks at microtomy, only slides. Counting slides is the equalizer for multiple levels and slides per block. Count the most appropriate unit at a task (i. e. slides at microtomy, blocks at embedding, specimens at grossing, specimens at accession inc) that allows you to set work pace and creates a corresponding quality measure.

William DeSalvo
william.desalvo <@t> sonoraquest.com
602-768-3692
Sent from my iPhone

> On Jan 12, 2015, at 4:05 PM, Morken, Timothy <Timothy.Morken <@t> ucsf.edu> wrote:
> 
> I agree with Diana, I found we had over a dozen different task mixes in a given day for various techs. That includes mix of block types (bx, extensive lists of stain requests per block, single H&E, recuts, mega block, research cases), other tasks (Staining, speicals, ihc, tissue processor . Grossing would be even more complicated. Instead of a per-day count, use per hour or per two hours - Some period when the person is concentrating on a single task without interruption. 
> 
> Tim Morken
> Supervisor, Histology, Electron Microscopy and Neuromuscular Special 
> Studies UC San Francisco Medical Center San Francisco, CA
> 
> CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: This email message, including any attachments, is for the sole use of the intended recipient(s) and may contain confidential, proprietary, and/or privileged information protected by law. If you are not the intended recipient, you may not use, copy, or distribute this email message or its attachments. If you believe you have received this email message in error, please contact the sender by reply email and destroy all copies of the original message.
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu 
> [mailto:histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of Diana 
> McCaig
> Sent: Monday, January 12, 2015 2:46 PM
> To: 'Goins, Tresa'; Ellen; histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
> Subject: RE: [Histonet] Block Counts
> 
> I have always found there are so many variables that having an expectation of setting a set number is not always possible.  I feel they should be compared to their own standards and not of their co-workers.  If they can cut or embed a set number on a particular than they should maintain or gradually increase (for newer techs) over time.  .
> I have seen where in one day they cut so many blocks when the work load mandates it but on a slower day it takes them just as much time to cut half as many blocks.  The work pace should be at their comfort level but should be a standard rate.
> 
> Diana
> -----Original Message-----
> From: histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu 
> [mailto:histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of Goins, 
> Tresa
> Sent: January-12-15 4:58 PM
> To: Ellen; histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
> Subject: RE: [Histonet] Block Counts
> 
> Depends on the type of tissue.
> Depends on the length of time your "day" is for a repetitive task.
> Assigning an arbitrary number is counterproductive.
> 
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu 
> [mailto:histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of Ellen
> Sent: Monday, January 12, 2015 1:57 PM
> To: histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
> Subject: [Histonet] Block Counts
> 
> I'm looking for raw data on time studies that directly deal with the number of blocks a PA can produce in a day and how many a histo tech can cut a day. 
> 
> 
> Thanks
> 
> Sent from my iPhone
> _______________________________________________
> 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
> 
> _______________________________________________
> 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
_______________________________________________
Histonet mailing list
Histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet

THIS MESSAGE IS CONFIDENTIAL.  
This e-mail message and any attachments are proprietary and confidential information intended only for the use of the recipient(s) named above. If you are not the intended recipient, you may not print,distribute, or copy this message or any attachments.  If you have received this communication in error, please notify the sender by return e-mail and delete this message and any attachments from your computer. Any views or opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of LRGHealthcare.