[Histonet] Tape coverslipper
Happy Friday Histopeeps! I am looking for opinions on tape coverslippers. I currently have a Leica CV5030 and while it is only 5 years young, it can be a bit petulant. I would like to find something refurbished, but haven't had any luck. We are a low volume lab averaging 100 slides/day. Any input or leads would be greatly appreciated! Thanks and have a great weekend! Cristi ___ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet
[Histonet] Some Responses for Tissue Processor Alarms
I have had numerous requests to share the responses for the tissue alarm processors. Please see below for some of the answers. Please feel freeto contact if I can be of more help :) Happy Hump Day! Christi We use SensaPhone2000 alarm system for our3 VIP processors. It can accommodate up to 8 instruments. However, it only tells you if there is an error or power failure, not what the error is. You can set up phone call, pager, email and web interface. You do need a dedicated phone line for it, or accept that it will interrupt and grab the existing line if needed. Tim Morken Supervisor, Histology, Electron Microscopy and Neuromuscular Special Studies UC San Francisco Medical Center San Francisco, CA Cristi, I previously used an auto dialer like this one on a VIP. When it alarms it calls three numbers until it receives an answer. It will deliver a pre-recorded message the you will record e.g. tissue processor is broken come fix me. http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005WE9AD2?tag=shoppingstoresco-20 I'm sure there are other auto dialers out there that would work as well. Walter Benton HT(ASCP)QIHC Histology Supervisor Chesapeake Urology Associates 806 Landmark Drive, Suite 127 Glen Burnie, MD 21061 443-471-5850 (Direct) 410-768-5961 (Lab) 410-768-5965 (Fax) Chesapeakeurology.com Hi Cristi, I'm currently in a small lab and my VIP is on a surge protector, but also has an alarm connected to the after hours on call folks. I got the system thru my thermo shandon rep. Hope this helps. And of course my IT guy here at the facility did all the connections. Wanda ___ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet
[Histonet] Processor Alarms
Hello Histoland, We have an ASP300S processor that is not currently monitored by Leica. I was wondering if anyone had an alarm system suggestion such that, in the event it does malfunction, it will notify a designated person. We are a private practice so there is no one in the building after normal working hours. Thanks in advance for any recommendations! Cristi ___ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet
[Histonet] Shandon Grosslab Senior
Hello, Does anyone that uses this grossing station have a great (cheaper than ThermoScientific) place to purchase filters? Thanks, Cristi ___ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet
Re: [Histonet] (no subject)
I second Toni's suggestion. Definitely sounds like the paraffin is still present on the lower sections of the slide. On Wed, Dec 4, 2013 at 10:17 AM, Rathborne, Toni trathbo...@somerset-healthcare.com wrote: Could it be the heating/deparaffinization process? If the upper sections are staining more evenly, then maybe they are free from residual paraffin. Try extending the time in the ovens and/or xylene. -Original Message- From: histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu [mailto: histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of Chapman, Cherie J. Sent: Wednesday, December 04, 2013 1:12 PM To: histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu Subject: [Histonet] (no subject) Hello all, I am looking for suggestions on issues with our HE stain. I supervised a Veterinary Diagnostic lab for over 27 years and produced top quality sections, HE's, special stains and IHC on a variety of different species in our lab. I am currently working in a Dermatopathology Lab and I am finding inconsistent staining with our HE's. Working with just skin is a challenge all on its own. We have made changes to our staining protocol and just not happy with the end product. What we are observing is inconsistent staining on levels on the same slide. The top section seems to stain more evenly than the middle and bottom sections. I can actually see three different shades of color. The specimens are ribboned sections so I know it is not from thick and thin sections. We have looked at our processing times, microwave vs. oven times, staining reagents, different brands of hematoxylin and eosin, adjustments on staining times, tap water compared to distilled water. Our main processor is the Thermo Scientific STP-420 and our back up is the Sakura VIP V processor.I have been working with Thermo technical support thinking it might be a processing issue. We have a Leica ST5020 Multstainer/CV5030 Robotic Cover slipper we have made several changes that the technical teams has suggested to the reagents and staining time. It's still not the quality that we are looking for. I have had culligan techs out several times to see if it could be something with the water. We can run 100 slides the same day, same reagents and protocol and the HE color is so inconsistent. I would appreciate any suggestions in this matter. Cherie Chapman, BS, HT, HTL (ASCP) Associate Director of Dermatopathology Laboratory University of Missouri Department of Dermatology University Physicians Medical Building Phone: (573) 884-0123 Fax: (573) 884-0834 ___ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet ___ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet ___ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet
Re: [Histonet] 2.5 gallon boxes of D.I water
Hello, How much DI are you using? We found that renting a tank from Culligan was cheaper than purchasing any siza gallons by the time you added in the shipping charges, personnel time, etc., Sorry I don't know where to purchase the smaller sizes. Thanks, Cristi On Mon, Oct 15, 2012 at 8:16 AM, Sheila Adey sa...@hotmail.ca wrote: Hello: Does anyone use the 2.5 gallon boxes of Deionized water? If so, can you send me your vendor name? We currently purchase the 5 gallon boxes and they are too heavy. Thanks ___ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet ___ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet
Re: [Histonet] Aetna requiring CAP accreditation for non-hospital labs
We are a small GI lab. While we have not yet received this notice, we have heard the rumors and found a letter via Google. We are State compliant as we cannot solicit other practices for work. The idea we have to be CAP accredited seems a little much. As stated by someone else, CLIA has granted the privilege of certifying labs to many other governing bodies. i believe our State inspector is just as competent and demanding of a quality product for quality patient care as any CAP inspector would be. Also, the time constraint is completely unreasonable. We just passed our State inspection with no deficiencies last month and have no intentions of making any changes until otherwise forced! In speaking with my director, I believe it is our plan to appeal and protest if we receive do receive this notice. Thanks Cristi From: Katelin Lester katelin09...@gmail.com To: Carol Torrence ctorre...@kmcpa.com Cc: histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu Sent: Thu, April 5, 2012 4:00:44 PM Subject: Re: [Histonet] Aetna requiring CAP accreditation for non-hospital labs We also received this notice. We contacted our local CLIA office who had heard of it this week as well. We are a small lab, so we are not sure yet how this change will impact us. I'd also be curious to know what smaller, private labs are planning on doing. -- Katelin Lester, HTL Gastroenterology Specialists of Oregon, P.C. Pathology Laboratory (971) 224-2408 On Thu, Apr 5, 2012 at 12:16 PM, Carol Torrence ctorre...@kmcpa.com wrote: We have received notification from AETNA that they now require non-hospital labs to be accredited by CLIA and CAP. The letter makes it obvious that by making such a request that they are not aware that CLIA assigned deemed status to CAP and CLIA is actually the gatekeeper. Secondly we are told to be registered by May 1st and accredited by August 1st (which CAP says is impossible) or we will have to send our lab to either Quest or Ameripath which includes Dermpath Diagnostics division. It fails to mention that there are other CAP accredited non hospital labs in our state. The Aetna contact number is either 'mailbox full or even after leaving a message, no return call. Me thinks me smells a rat. If you are a non-hospital lab, have you heard of this? Does your dematopathologist or pathologist know this is coming? I am interested in your comments. Carol M. Torrence, HT(ASCP)CM ___ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet ___ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet ___ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet
[Histonet] Paraplast X-tra
Hello Histoland, We are seeing unusually large volumes of fall out in our paraffin lately. The precipitate is almost muddy or oily in appearance. We noticed it immediately as it was melting, so there was no way anything else had been introduced to cause this. As a result, we are seeing knife marks. The marks are not consistent and not attributable to any of the tissue in the blocks. We are blasting through blades that have been tried and true for years now. Are there any other users of paraplast X-tra experiencing these issues? Thanks, Cristi ___ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet
[Histonet] Esophageal Brushings
Hello Histoland, I was wondering if anyone can help me with a CPT code question? I run a small GI lab. We have recently received esophageal brushings that were to rule out cancer, not Candida. The pathologist indicated these should be stained with the Papinicalaou stain. I was thinking per the archives, that this would be charged as an 88313 (non-organism stain) as we charge an 88312 for the fungal stain. However, the other facilities around my area say that it would be charged as an 88104. Can onyone offer me some guidance? Thank you all, Cristi ___ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet
[Histonet] Other physicians ordering tests
Hello Histoland, I have searched the archives with no luck for some guidance concerning outside physicians ordering tests and how others handle this. We are a physician owned lab specializing in GI. More and more frequently we are getting requests from outside offices requesting further testing. Most of these tests are genetic tests in nature and we do not perform them in-house. Also, we only send consults to reference labs that do third party billing. This flow has worked fine for us internally, but the external orders are becoming increasingly problematic. It seems that many insurances specifically exclude genetic testing. Who notifies the patient then of the potential out of pocket expense? Does anyone else out there experiencee these cases? How do you handle it? My current thought process is to send the block or slide to the requesting physician's office and let them send out for any tests they want, but I am concerned that will only create confusion in their offices and ultimately delay appropriate patient care. Any suggestions? Thank you, Cristi ___ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet
[Histonet] Thank you!
Hello again, Wow! What a wonderful world it would be if everyone were as quick and helpful as histoland. Thank you all for the responses to my inquiry about outside physicians ordering testing, this information is very helpful and I am excited to implement all of your ideas! Sincerely, Cristi ___ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet
Re: [Histonet] Thank you!
Here is a compilation of responses, I have removed names as I was not sure if it was intentional to respond to offline: Cristi. Irun a GI Lab and we have request as you do. I just send it to the company they want the testing done by, and if this company is usually the same we will get there fed-x number and let them take care of the shipping and also they may or should have everything you need to ship to them. I would not send to a physicians office because they could lose your block. always send to one location and document that. any calls about insurance should be handled by the testing company send a Ins face sheet. Good luck and hope I helped you. Yes I do. I have the outside physician fax me the order on his letterhead along with the patients signature and insurance. This way the outside facility can contact the ordering physician directly if any questions arise. Most of the outside facilities work with the ordering physician and the patients. This has worked for me so far. We frequently get requests from physicians and send them to a reference lab that will 3rd party bill. We have no financial responsibility and the doctor gets what he wants. We do order the test in our system just so that we have a way in which to know what testing has been done and also track where the specimen was sent so that we can retrieve it. I personally do not think it is a good idea to turn over the blocks to the requesting physician, this will create huge problems! You are able to bill the patient for the review of archived material. I can tell you from my experience that it is a lot of work and the hospital/lab does not benefit from it. As for notifying the patient, we have never gotten a call from a patient regarding a bill. The reference lab either accepts payment or works with the patient to handle the bill. One thing you need to watch out for is Medicare patients regarding the 14 day rule. Sometimes requests are made soon after the biopsy (within 14 days) and if the patient has Medicare, the reference lab will bill the hospital/lab. Hope this is helpful. Thank you again for all your guidance and have a great day allonly one more wake-up call :) From: Rathborne, Toni trathbo...@somerset-healthcare.com To: Cristi stephenson cls71...@sbcglobal.net; Histo Net histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu Sent: Thu, February 24, 2011 10:00:50 AM Subject: RE: [Histonet] Thank you! Could you please share this information with the rest of us? The responses must not have gone back out to Histonet. -Original Message- From: histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu [mailto:histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu]On Behalf Of Cristi stephenson Sent: Thursday, February 24, 2011 12:58 PM To: Histo Net Subject: [Histonet] Thank you! Hello again, Wow! What a wonderful world it would be if everyone were as quick and helpful as histoland. Thank you all for the responses to my inquiry about outside physicians ordering testing, this information is very helpful and I am excited to implement all of your ideas! Sincerely, Cristi ___ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE This message and any included attachments are from Somerset Medical Center and are intended only for the addressee. The information contained in this message is confidential and may contain privileged, confidential, proprietary and/or trade secret information entitled to protection and/or exemption from disclosure under applicable law. Unauthorized forwarding, printing, copying, distribution, or use of such information is strictly prohibited and may be unlawful. If you are not the addressee, please promptly delete this message and notify the sender of the delivery error by e-mail or you may call Somerset Medical Center's computer Help Desk at 908-685-2200, ext. 4050. Be sure to visit Somerset Medical Center's Web site - www.somersetmedicalcenter.com - for the most up-to-date news, event listings, health information and more. ___ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet
[Histonet] Job Descriptions
Hello Histoland, I was wondering if anyone out there may have their job decriptions for histologists, lab assistants, supervisor and/or medical director available and would be willing to share. I am currently revamping mine and am struggling with some of the verbiage. Thank you all and have a fantastic weekend! Cristi ___ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet
[Histonet] Per Diem Histotech Position in Reno Nevada
Hi all, We are currently seeking a per diem histotech for a small GI lab in Reno, Nevada. If anyone is interested, please contact me. Thanks, Cristi ___ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet
[Histonet] Utilization of consultation services
Hello Histoland, I am currently researching the utilization of consultation services for our lab. We are a physician owned lab and therefore only have one pathologist on site at a time. Does anyone else track this type of information? Would you be willing to share the percentage of cases sent out to cases read? Any assistance is greatly appreciated. Thanks, Cristi ___ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet
[Histonet] alcohol monitoring
Hello, I was recently approached by my management about monitoring the alcohol in the lab? I monitor for xylene and formalin, but I have never heard of doing so for alcohol. Does anyone else do this at their lab? Is there potentially a different type of testing to check for this? Any guidance is much appreciated. Thanks, Cristi ___ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet
[Histonet] Thank you!
Good morning! I jsut want to thank everybody for the responses regarding gastric biopsies and up-front staining. All of your help should help me move in the direction i would like to go! Sincerely, Cristi ___ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet
[Histonet] Gastric biopsies
Hello Histoland, I was wondering if anyone out there does stains other than HE 's on specific tissues. For example, does anyone run stains to rule out H. pylori on all gastric biopsies? Any information as to the standards in other labs would be great. Thanks, Cristi ___ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet
[Histonet] Diff Quik CPT code
Hello, I was wondering what CPT code is used for performing a Diff Quik to demonstrate H. pylori? Can anyone help? Thanks, Cristi ___ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet
[Histonet] GI lab
Hello all, I am currently setting up a new lab devoted to GI biopsies. I have a few questions I was hoping someone could help me with. Are HT’s allowed to accession under CLIA as long as it is only a physical description? What standard protocols for special stains do other labs currently use concerning specific site specimens? (ex. Giemsa on gastric biopsies, etc.,) Any other suggestions and insights are greatly appreciated as well. Thank you in advance for your time! Cristi Stephenson MSA, HT(ASCP) ___ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet
[Histonet] WindoPath
Hi all, Does anyone out there currently use WindoPath as their LIS? Any opinions or pointers concerning set-up, usage and the like? Thanks in advance for your guidance, Cristi Stephenson MSA, HT(ASCP) ___ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet
Re: [Histonet] General Orientation Checklist
Hello, I am sorry, I am also interested in this, but I don't see the attachment? Thanks, Cristi Stephenson MSA, HT(ASCP) --- On Wed, 7/29/09, tahs...@brain.net.pk tahs...@brain.net.pk wrote: From: tahs...@brain.net.pk tahs...@brain.net.pk Subject: Re: [Histonet] General Orientation Checklist To: Amy Self as...@georgetownhospitalsystem.org Cc: histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu Date: Wednesday, July 29, 2009, 8:08 AM The file is attached with. M. Tahseen, Supervisor Histopathology SKMCHRC, Lahore, Pakistan Good Day Histonetters, Does anyone have a general orientation checklist for histology for new hires that they would be willing to share with me? Thanks in advance for your help, Amy Amy Self Georgetown Hospital System 843-527-7179 NOTE: The information contained in this message may be privileged, 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 this message and deleting it from your computer. Thank you. ___ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet -Inline Attachment Follows- ___ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet ___ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet
[Histonet] Leica ASP 300
Hello Histonetters, I was wondering if anyone has a processing schedule for strictly GI biopsies on the Leica ASP 300. Maybe even a rapid processing schedule? Thanks in advance for your time! Cristi ___ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet
