Good morning, Wanda, The answer is "it depends". CLIA is pretty specific on what a cytotechs can and cannot do. If your cytotechnologist qualifies as a cytology general supervisor, then they could perform the function that you are referring. CLIA 493.1469, which refers to cytology general supervisors states: ...(a) Be qualified as a technical supervisor under § 493.1449 (b) or (k); or (b)(1) Be qualified as a cytotechnologist under § 493.1483; and (2) Have at least 3 years of full-time (2,080 hours per year) experience as a cytotechnologist within the preceding 10 years...
As to whether the cytotech should or should perform the task, this should be discussed with your technical supervisor of the laboratory who is ultimately responsible for the quality of work that occurs within your laboratory. I personally believe that for an effective quality management program in cytology, the review you are describing should be performed by a different individual. Cytotechnologists should be allowed to review the cases that are determined to be a miss and should also have input into what is considered "a miss" within your laboratory. If you would like to contact me off line, I have lots of material that I could share with you concerning best practices of quality management in the cytology laboratory. Cheers, Joe W. Walker, Jr. MS, SCT(ASCP)CM Anatomical Pathology Manager Rutland Regional Medical Center 160 Allen Street, Rutland, VT 05701 P: 802.747.1790 F: 802.747.6525 NEW EMAIL: joewal...@rrmc.org www.rrmc.org Our Vision: To be the Best Community Healthcare System in New England Rutland Regional...Vermont's 1st Hospital to Achieve Both ANCC Magnet Recognition® and the Governor's Award for Performance Excellence -----Original Message----- From: histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu [mailto:histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of wanda.sm...@hcahealthcare.com Sent: Tuesday, February 05, 2013 5:11 PM To: histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu Subject: [Histonet] Cytology Question for you Cytotechs Or a question for you HT and HTL's that manage Cytotechs in your labs.... Is it written ANYWHERE that a Cytotech cannot or should not review their correlations and make the call whether there is a discrepancy or miss??? Then document themselves on it? Does this make sense? Thanks, Wanda WANDA G. SMITH, HTL(ASCP)HT Pathology Supervisor TRIDENT MEDICAL CENTER 9330 Medical Plaza Drive Charleston, SC 29406 843-847-4586 843-847-4296 fax This email and any files transmitted with it may contain PRIVILEGED or CONFIDENTIAL information and may be read or used only by the intended recipient. If you are not the intended recipient of the email or any of its attachments, please be advised that you have received this email in error and that any use, dissemination, distribution, forwarding, printing, or copying of this email or any attached files is strictly prohibited. If you have received this email in error, please immediately purge it and all attachments and notify the sender by reply email or contact the sender at the number listed. _______________________________________________ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet This message (and any included attachments) is from Rutland Regional Health Services and is intended only for the addressee(s). The information contained herein may include privileged or otherwise confidential information. Unauthorized review, forwarding, printing, copying, distributing, or using such information is strictly prohibited and may be unlawful. If you received this message in error, or have reason to believe you are not authorized to receive it, please promptly delete this message and notify the sender by e-mail. Thank You _______________________________________________ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet