[Histonet] RE: Stark Law
Jennifer, Did some reading up on Stark Law, couldn't find anything specific pertaining to CA other than Stark was a CA Congressman. The Stark Law is similar to the Federal Anti-Kickback Law. It is named after Pete Stark (congressman, Democrat, CA); he sponsored the original bill. One Reference I found is: Stark Law Overview by:GE Healthcare, 3000 N. Grandview Blvd., Waukesha, WI 53188 It can be viewed at: http://www.gehealthcare.com/usen/community/reimbursement/docs/FinalStarkLawTool_2011_doc0905301.pdf This Reference States: In summary, the Stark Law prohibits a physician (or an immediate family member of such physician) who has a “financial relationship” (including compensation and investment / ownership interests) with an entity from referring (broadly defined) patients to the entity for “designated health services” covered by the Medicare program, unless an exception is available. In the event a proscribed referral is made and no exception is available, the entity performing the services is prohibited from submitting a claim for the services to the Medicare program or billing any individual, third-party payor or other entity for the services. In addition, certain aspects of the Stark Law apply to the state Medicaid programs. Another Reference, The AMA Website: http://www.ama-assn.org/ama/pub/physician-resources/legal-topics/regulatory-compliance-topics/stark-law-rules.page It is under the heading: Resources » Legal Issues » Regulatory Compliance Topics »Stark Law Rules According to the AMA, a basic 6-step interactive guide to help physicians acquire an introductory knowledge of the Stark Law is available. More information from the AMA can be found at Stark Law rules of the road broadcast recording from July 13, 2012 webinar. Available at https://cc.readytalk.com/cc/playback/Playback.do?id=e0wier Hope this helps, Rick T. ___ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet
Re: [Histonet] Unregistered techs
Histonetters, I see this subject tends to illicit strong sentiments from professionals who are impacted or have an impact on HT/HTL's (sort of everyone on the net)?. I am still in school, but I want to fully understand how training, certification, and registration work for HT/HTL’s. I realize that ASCP certification is voluntary, and that some States require some sort of license or certification, but I’ve never heard of a “Registry” for HT/HTL’s. -The way I understand through what I’ve been taught at school is that Histology is the study of tissue, And that... -To study tissue there is another science that prepares specimens so they can be studied. And that... -There is a final sequence “Quality Control” that verifies the science that prpares specimens is properly done so the tissue can be studied. And that… In order for this all to happen successfully and consistently, the HT/HTL's make sure that during the whole preparation process, safety is observed, proper adherence to federal and state regulations maintained, plus train other technicians to do the same, and much more. If I understood it all correctly I can’t help but wonder: If HT/HTL's do all of this crucial preparation work to make sure specimens are acceptable for precise microscopic identification of cells, tissue type, diagnosis of disease, and other needs: Why wouldn't we want to have some method that can gage a set of basic skills to indicate a level of competency that HT/HTL's should initially have, in order to enter the field of work that can effect so many people either directly or indirectly? And also... Wouldn’t having NAACLS accredited training and ASCP Certifications serve to gage those basic skills? And also… Would gaging basic skills have a positive impact on the quality of patient care and the efficiency of the HT/HTL’s impact on labs?” I'm not sure but...this fall… when I complete my NAACLS accredited degree program, and voluntarily take the ASCP HTL certification exam, my future employer will be able to expect a certain level of competency that I hope to have established through training and certification. Rick T. ___ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet
Re: [Histonet] Productivity Reports
Allison, One KEY to success I have found is to make sure your boss knows what he or she wants, and get an agreement on what you need to report before you start. It can be very frustrating to invest resources in reporting what isn't value added. My problem has always been, that determining ACTUAL productivity reaches outside of the lab if it is to be used to determine something like the labs overall fiscal contribution to the enterprise. If it is simply to measure turn around time for patient cases, that can become a complicated set of time measurements from point to point within the lab, or it can be as simple as IN and OUT, total elapsed time. What works for you should be driven by what is to be accomplished with the productivity report. There are 4 questions I would ask immediately 1. What will the data be used for? (want it to accomplish) 2. What investment is willing to be made in capturing and maintaining data? (cost) 3. Is this a “one-time” measurement? (if this is the case, maybe an informed and educated calculation can be made using existing data. Work flow, billed hours, and patient tracking should point to productivity, however this will have a higher error factor than a measurement controlled within the lab. Payroll, patient billing, or IT should be able to provide this data.) 4. Is this a paradigm shift to capture data on a continuous basis to perform trend analysis to improve the flow of work in an attempt to incorporate six-sigma/lean principles in the lab? (if so, a six-sigma black belt would be a good consultant) Or, again depending on the detail of existing data mentioned earlier, you might be able to set up an ad-hoc report that is issued on a time period that fits your schedule. An error factor can be established and reported with the data each time. MS Excel makes great charts and graphs. This would be an easy way to report specific data applicable to your lab only. I am new to the Histotech field but I have over 20 years in Quality Assurance, I can tell you from experience that sometimes there is more effort put into keeping statistics than they appear to be worth. But, what the boss wants the boss gets. One of my past supervisors used to always say, KEEP IT SIMPLE, and make sure your metrics are *S.M.A.R.T.* *S*pecific *M*easurable *A*ttainable *R*ealistic *T*imely Best of Luck, Rick T. ___ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet
Re: [Histonet] anti static spray
Liz During my Navy days to help prevent static problems off X-ray films, we used a 95(ish)% isopropyl and water mix in a squeeze spray bottle. A very light mist before opening the paper film holders, and allowing it to completely evaporate, normally did the trick. I know of one histo lab here in Cali. that does a light spray of ethyl mix periodically on their blocks while chilling before microtomy, don't think they have much static issues. Watch out for over the-counter sprays from a local store, many have Butane and/or Propane (refrigerant types), and some have 1,1-Difluoroethane (normally found in computer canned air). Many have some type of fluorine-byproducts because of the high electronegativity. Cotton lab coats, and the humidity trick are also helpful. Good luck. Rick T. ___ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet
