Re: [Histonet] Histology Workload
Dear Amy - With 30+ years of experience of running an extremely tight ship, I can see how you would be drowning in work from the loads you are describing. I will email you separately, 2 articles concerning calculation and documentation of workload. One is from CAP in conjunction with NSH, and the other is authored by Rene Buesa. These should help. Additional, take the time to call and document the workload and staffing from similar sized institutions with similar billed tests. Look for tasks that you do that other institutions do not assign within the Histology Department, such as billing and send outs. Every little bit helps. Then, write up your case, and present it with a specific request for "X" number of additional hours at a (Histo-tech, ass't, or office) specified level. You need to be specific with your proof and your request for additional help. It's the only way to be heard. I hope this helps, Terri Terri L. Braud, HT(ASCP) Anatomic Pathology Supervisor Holy Redeemer Hospital Laboratory 1648 Huntingdon Pike Meadowbrook, PA 19046 Ph: 215-938-3676 Fax: 215-938-3874 2. Histology Workload (Amy Self) 3. Re: Histology Workload (Cartun, Richard) 4. Re: Histology Workload (Michael Ann Jones) Message: 2 Date: Mon, 31 Aug 2015 16:41:10 -0400 From: Amy Self Subject: [Histonet] Histology Workload Happy Monday to Everyone, I have been trying[ to figure out how to justify additional help in histology - and it's been hard. My facility staffs according to billables. This by no means feels fair to anyone in this department. You could have a specimen that will provide one billable CPT code but can produce as many as 20 paraffin blocks. And now it seems like we are getting many request for molecular test that require us to mail the patients material out but we have no way of showing that we did this work - we call this free work. We get no credit for time spent preparing and packaging pathology material to send out to reference labs. Am I missing any CPT codes that can be used to show that we in fact did something in addition to routine pathology to this case. We have 1 histotech - 1 histotech/histology supervisor and one histology assistant. Our block load averages from 125 to 170 daily. We also prep non-gyn cytologies. Accession all specimens that come in that lab. All mail-outs The histotech/histology supervisor is responsible for all of the billing as well as keeping up with new and old policies/ requirements for CAP/ auditing billing and the list could go on. We are drowning in our own workload but don't know how to prove that the help is needed. Any help - advice - suggestions anything will be appreciated. How can I prove to upper management that we need more help although the billables/productivity numbers say different? Thanks in advance, Amy Self Histology Lab Senior Tech Lab Tidelands Georgetown Memorial Hospital 606 Black River Road Georgetown, SC 29440 843-520-8711 as...@tidelandshealth.org ___ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet
Re: [Histonet] Histology Workload
We log all ³unbillable² work. It is by hand and I must tally that by hand each month, but it helps log what is really being done in our lab. I tally things like, Histogels, QC control work (slides, blocks, validations), QIP studies, PT work, send-outs (those do take time), and of course all of the deepers, stains, IHC, etc. We charge some clients a ³handling² fee when sending blocks out for further testing if our pathologists are not involved. You do need help! Michael Ann Michael Ann Jones, HT (ASCP) Histology Manager Metropath 7444 W. Alaska Dr. #250 Lakewood, CO 80226 303.634.2511 mjo...@metropath.com On 8/31/15, 3:26 PM, "Cartun, Richard via Histonet" wrote: >Dear Amy: > >Some of the companies doing molecular testing will pay you a fee for >"specimen procurement/handling" since they realize the burden that these >requests put on us. I suggest calling the company(s) that you deal with >and see if you can work something out with them. And, you're absolutely >correct; we are being asked to do more work on specimens today, yet >reimbursements are going down. Not a good combination. Based on your >description of the work that you and your colleagues are doing, you have >a good case for additional staffing. It looks like you would benefit >from a lab assistant that could help with accessioning, billing, and >send-outs. > >Richard > >Richard W. Cartun, MS, PhD >Director, Histology & The Martin M. Berman, MD Immunopathology & >Morphologic Proteomics Laboratory >Director, Biospecimen Collection Programs >Assistant Director, Anatomic Pathology >Hartford Hospital >80 Seymour Street >Hartford, CT 06102 >(860) 972-1596 >(860) 545-2204 Fax > >-Original Message- >From: Amy Self via Histonet [mailto:histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu] >Sent: Monday, August 31, 2015 4:41 PM >To: histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu >Subject: [Histonet] Histology Workload > >Happy Monday to Everyone, > >I have been trying[ to figure out how to justify additional help in >histology - and it's been hard. My facility staffs according to >billables. This by no means feels fair to anyone in this department. >You could have a specimen that will provide one billable CPT code but can >produce as many as 20 paraffin blocks. And now it seems like we are >getting many request for molecular test that require us to mail the >patients material out but we have no way of showing that we did this work >- we call this free work. We get no credit for time spent preparing and >packaging pathology material to send out to reference labs. Am I missing >any CPT codes that can be used to show that we in fact did something in >addition to routine pathology to this case. > >We have 1 histotech - 1 histotech/histology supervisor and one histology >assistant. >Our block load averages from 125 to 170 daily. >We also prep non-gyn cytologies. >Accession all specimens that come in that lab. >All mail-outs >The histotech/histology supervisor is responsible for all of the billing >as well as keeping up with new and old policies/ requirements for CAP/ >auditing billing and the list could go on. > >We are drowning in our own workload but don't know how to prove that the >help is needed. Any help - advice - suggestions anything will be >appreciated. How can I prove to upper management that we need more help >although the billables/productivity numbers say different? > >Thanks in advance, >Amy Self >Histology Lab Senior Tech >Lab >Tidelands Georgetown Memorial Hospital >606 Black River Road >Georgetown, SC 29440 >843-520-8711 >as...@tidelandshealth.org > >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 > >This e-mail message, including any attachments, is for the sole use of >the intended recipient(s) and may contain confidential and privileged >information. Any unauthorized review, use, disclosure, or distribution is >prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient, or an employee or >agent responsible for delivering the message to the intended recipient, >please contact the sender
Re: [Histonet] Histology Workload
Dear Amy: Some of the companies doing molecular testing will pay you a fee for "specimen procurement/handling" since they realize the burden that these requests put on us. I suggest calling the company(s) that you deal with and see if you can work something out with them. And, you're absolutely correct; we are being asked to do more work on specimens today, yet reimbursements are going down. Not a good combination. Based on your description of the work that you and your colleagues are doing, you have a good case for additional staffing. It looks like you would benefit from a lab assistant that could help with accessioning, billing, and send-outs. Richard Richard W. Cartun, MS, PhD Director, Histology & The Martin M. Berman, MD Immunopathology & Morphologic Proteomics Laboratory Director, Biospecimen Collection Programs Assistant Director, Anatomic Pathology Hartford Hospital 80 Seymour Street Hartford, CT 06102 (860) 972-1596 (860) 545-2204 Fax -Original Message- From: Amy Self via Histonet [mailto:histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu] Sent: Monday, August 31, 2015 4:41 PM To: histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu Subject: [Histonet] Histology Workload Happy Monday to Everyone, I have been trying[ to figure out how to justify additional help in histology - and it's been hard. My facility staffs according to billables. This by no means feels fair to anyone in this department. You could have a specimen that will provide one billable CPT code but can produce as many as 20 paraffin blocks. And now it seems like we are getting many request for molecular test that require us to mail the patients material out but we have no way of showing that we did this work - we call this free work. We get no credit for time spent preparing and packaging pathology material to send out to reference labs. Am I missing any CPT codes that can be used to show that we in fact did something in addition to routine pathology to this case. We have 1 histotech - 1 histotech/histology supervisor and one histology assistant. Our block load averages from 125 to 170 daily. We also prep non-gyn cytologies. Accession all specimens that come in that lab. All mail-outs The histotech/histology supervisor is responsible for all of the billing as well as keeping up with new and old policies/ requirements for CAP/ auditing billing and the list could go on. We are drowning in our own workload but don't know how to prove that the help is needed. Any help - advice - suggestions anything will be appreciated. How can I prove to upper management that we need more help although the billables/productivity numbers say different? Thanks in advance, Amy Self Histology Lab Senior Tech Lab Tidelands Georgetown Memorial Hospital 606 Black River Road Georgetown, SC 29440 843-520-8711 as...@tidelandshealth.org 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 This e-mail message, including any attachments, is for the sole use of the intended recipient(s) and may contain confidential and privileged information. Any unauthorized review, use, disclosure, or distribution is prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient, or an employee or agent responsible for delivering the message to the intended recipient, please contact the sender by reply e-mail and destroy all copies of the original message, including any attachments. ___ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet
[Histonet] Histology Workload
Happy Monday to Everyone, I have been trying[ to figure out how to justify additional help in histology - and it's been hard. My facility staffs according to billables. This by no means feels fair to anyone in this department. You could have a specimen that will provide one billable CPT code but can produce as many as 20 paraffin blocks. And now it seems like we are getting many request for molecular test that require us to mail the patients material out but we have no way of showing that we did this work - we call this free work. We get no credit for time spent preparing and packaging pathology material to send out to reference labs. Am I missing any CPT codes that can be used to show that we in fact did something in addition to routine pathology to this case. We have 1 histotech - 1 histotech/histology supervisor and one histology assistant. Our block load averages from 125 to 170 daily. We also prep non-gyn cytologies. Accession all specimens that come in that lab. All mail-outs The histotech/histology supervisor is responsible for all of the billing as well as keeping up with new and old policies/ requirements for CAP/ auditing billing and the list could go on. We are drowning in our own workload but don't know how to prove that the help is needed. Any help - advice - suggestions anything will be appreciated. How can I prove to upper management that we need more help although the billables/productivity numbers say different? Thanks in advance, Amy Self Histology Lab Senior Tech Lab Tidelands Georgetown Memorial Hospital 606 Black River Road Georgetown, SC 29440 843-520-8711 as...@tidelandshealth.org 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
Re: [Histonet] histology workload benchmark
Under separate cover I am sending you an article I wrote on the subject. Just find in the benchmarks the column corresponding to the "lab class" you belong to and you will find the information you need. René J. --- On Tue, 9/27/11, andrea conard wrote: From: andrea conard Subject: [Histonet] histology workload benchmark To: histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu Date: Tuesday, September 27, 2011, 2:58 PM Hi histonetters, I'm conducting a small benchmark study regarding workload distribution and times slides get to pathologists, etc. We are NJ healthsystem with 2 hospitals but only do histo in one. We do 14k cases/16k blocks/year, 500 IHC/month and some special stains. If you are a hospital or institution comparable to ours please send me info about the questions below. How many cases/how many blocks, case mix? How many histo techs, Pas, lab assistants, pathologists. When do HTs start, what time do the first slides get out/last slides get out. If more than one campus are pathologists stationed at all campuses or only go there for frozens. Is there a histo lab at all campuses or are specimens couriered to the main facility. How long is the histo lab/ gross room open? What other functions do the histotechs do? Accessioning, send out cases, filing, morgue, charging, clerical? I really appreciate any help and info I can get with this project. *Andrea Conard, HT(ASCP)* *Pathology Supervisor* *AtlantiCare** Regional Medical Center*** *Phone: 609-441-8168* *Fax:609-441-2195* You can emaill to andrea.con...@atlanticare.org ___ 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] histology workload benchmark
Hi histonetters, I'm conducting a small benchmark study regarding workload distribution and times slides get to pathologists, etc. We are NJ healthsystem with 2 hospitals but only do histo in one. We do 14k cases/16k blocks/year, 500 IHC/month and some special stains. If you are a hospital or institution comparable to ours please send me info about the questions below. How many cases/how many blocks, case mix? How many histo techs, Pas, lab assistants, pathologists. When do HTs start, what time do the first slides get out/last slides get out. If more than one campus are pathologists stationed at all campuses or only go there for frozens. Is there a histo lab at all campuses or are specimens couriered to the main facility. How long is the histo lab/ gross room open? What other functions do the histotechs do? Accessioning, send out cases, filing, morgue, charging, clerical? I really appreciate any help and info I can get with this project. *Andrea Conard, HT(ASCP)* *Pathology Supervisor* *AtlantiCare** Regional Medical Center*** *Phone: 609-441-8168* *Fax:609-441-2195* You can emaill to andrea.con...@atlanticare.org ___ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet
Re: [Histonet] Histology Workload Guidelines
We (Princeton University) are also on a 37.5 hour week. That takes into account 30 minutes for a lunch break. Peggy On 12/10/08 11:03 AM, "[EMAIL PROTECTED]" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > Because that is the length of time for a standard work week in this province. > > Bryan > > > >> Why are times bases on 37.5 hour works per week? >> >> Mike >> >> -Original Message- >> From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] >> [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Gagnon, >> Eric >> Sent: Wednesday, December 10, 2008 9:11 AM >> To: histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu >> Subject: [Histonet] Histology Workload Guidelines >> >> >> To add to the recent discussion about how many blocks can be embedded >> per hour, the College of Medical Laboratory Technologists of Ontario >> recently published MLT practice guidelines which may be of use. The >> practice guidelines are "intended to support, not replace, the exercise >> of professional judgment by medical laboratory technologists practising >> in histology...and are maintained...in consultation with CMLTO members >> and stakeholders." Check out quality assurance at: >> >> http://cmlto.com >> >> or more specifically: >> >> http://cmlto.com/quality_assurance/MLT_practice_guidelines/learning/10_h >> sto_gdlne.pdf >> >> Eric Gagnon MLT >> >> Histology Laboratory >> >> Kingston General Hospital, >> >> Kingston, Ontario, Canada >> >> >> >> >> >> ___ >> 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 mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet
RE: [Histonet] Histology Workload Guidelines
Because that is the length of time for a standard work week in this province. Bryan > Why are times bases on 37.5 hour works per week? > > Mike > > -Original Message- > From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Gagnon, > Eric > Sent: Wednesday, December 10, 2008 9:11 AM > To: histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu > Subject: [Histonet] Histology Workload Guidelines > > > To add to the recent discussion about how many blocks can be embedded > per hour, the College of Medical Laboratory Technologists of Ontario > recently published MLT practice guidelines which may be of use. The > practice guidelines are "intended to support, not replace, the exercise > of professional judgment by medical laboratory technologists practising > in histology...and are maintained...in consultation with CMLTO members > and stakeholders." Check out quality assurance at: > > http://cmlto.com > > or more specifically: > > http://cmlto.com/quality_assurance/MLT_practice_guidelines/learning/10_h > sto_gdlne.pdf > > Eric Gagnon MLT > > Histology Laboratory > > Kingston General Hospital, > > Kingston, Ontario, Canada > > > > > > ___ > 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] Histology Workload Guidelines
Why are times bases on 37.5 hour works per week? Mike -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Gagnon, Eric Sent: Wednesday, December 10, 2008 9:11 AM To: histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu Subject: [Histonet] Histology Workload Guidelines To add to the recent discussion about how many blocks can be embedded per hour, the College of Medical Laboratory Technologists of Ontario recently published MLT practice guidelines which may be of use. The practice guidelines are "intended to support, not replace, the exercise of professional judgment by medical laboratory technologists practising in histology...and are maintained...in consultation with CMLTO members and stakeholders." Check out quality assurance at: http://cmlto.com or more specifically: http://cmlto.com/quality_assurance/MLT_practice_guidelines/learning/10_h sto_gdlne.pdf Eric Gagnon MLT Histology Laboratory Kingston General Hospital, Kingston, Ontario, Canada ___ 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] Histology Workload Guidelines
To add to the recent discussion about how many blocks can be embedded per hour, the College of Medical Laboratory Technologists of Ontario recently published MLT practice guidelines which may be of use. The practice guidelines are "intended to support, not replace, the exercise of professional judgment by medical laboratory technologists practising in histology...and are maintained...in consultation with CMLTO members and stakeholders." Check out quality assurance at: http://cmlto.com or more specifically: http://cmlto.com/quality_assurance/MLT_practice_guidelines/learning/10_hsto_gdlne.pdf Eric Gagnon MLT Histology Laboratory Kingston General Hospital, Kingston, Ontario, Canada ___ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet
