WOW!!!! Sure glad I have the pathologists that I have!

> ----------
> From: 	Tapper, Sheila[SMTP:STapper@smdc.org]
> Sent: 	Wednesday, December 01, 1999 9:05 PM
> To: 	'Woodfin, Amy C'; 'histonet@pathology.swmed.edu'
> Subject: 	RE: Case Distribution
>
> Amy,
> You have asked a question I have long been too embarrassed to ask!!  My
> pathologists insist that we administer a complicated, TIME CONSUMING split
> process for them.  When I informed them that the process they have
> determined to equally distribute slides would delay the delivery of their
> slides by 30-45 minutes every day (No kidding!), they were fine with
> that!!!
> The answer I received when I protested was "It makes better financial
> sense
> for a histotech to spend the time to divide the work, and distribute than
> a
> pathologist, who has many other responsibilities to take the time to
> figure
> it out.  I have a 5-page procedure.  I have so many variables to use in
> computing the split, that I had to create a worksheet to be able to
> administer it!!!!  When I took the information from the worksheet, and put
> it into an Excel spreadsheet.  I charted averages, daily workloads, and
> distribution.  I presented it to the Medical Director; he was not
> impressed...the current system was "working" well for them.  This, despite
> the fact it has created a HUGE rift between the techs and the
> pathologists.
> It is difficult to maintain a respectful working relationship when the
> respect is only expected to go one way.  The funny part is...if we should
> every inadvertently make a mistake in dividing their work, they know
> immediately!!!!  They will come STOMPING and in one case SCREAMING into my
> lab to belittle us for making a mistake.  My only question to them...How
> would you know we had made a mistake, if you weren't mentally splitting
> the
> workload yourselves.  Needless to say...we are at an impasse, and still
> performing the split.  My new lab director is supporting me, but this
> issue
> is obviously a symptom of a much larger issue.  I work with a group of
> pathologist that cannot communicate amongst one another.  They are certain
> that it is reasonable to have us assign their work to them.  I have
> threatened to bring in a phlebotomist to divide our blocks up so that no
> one
> histotech cuts more blocks than the other!!!!  They didn't see the humor
> there either.
>
> Sorry for the rant.  I just brought the topic up to the Medical Director
> last week - I lost!  He has devised a new scheme though...he wants us to
> distribute slides in "discreet linear packages" (consecutive cases - this
> is
> his terminology.  I guess all the time he saves while we do the split
> allows
> him to create new catch phrases for slides on a tray!)  I'm sorry.  I
> better
> stop.  I am embarrassing my organization.  If however, anyone would like a
> copy of my Distribution of Slides procedure, I would be happy to share it
> with you.  It could be a real laugh for those of you who are blessed with
> sane, reasonable pathologists who don't seem to thrive on power, and
> appreciate how hard the techs work.  I will apologize in advance to any
> pathologist on the net that I may have offended.  I have to say I am not
> impressed with the group I am working for now.
>
> Sheila Tapper
> Anatomic Pathology Team Leader
> SMDC Health System
> Duluth, MN
> Stapper@smdc.org <mailto:Stapper@smdc.org>
>
>
> 	-----Original Message-----
> 	From:	Woodfin, Amy C [SMTP:AWoodfin@peacehealth.org]
> 	Sent:	Wednesday, December 01, 1999 1:24 PM
> 	To:	'histonet@pathology.swmed.edu'
> 	Subject:	Case Distribution
>
> 	Hi folks,
>
> 	Looking for some insight from hospital based surgical pathology labs
> on how
> 	your cases are distributed to your docs for microscopic evaluation.
> We are
> 	in our 5th evolution of case distribution methods and the docs are
> still not
> 	happy.  I would appreciate any information on: how many docs,
> average # of
> 	cases, who does the distribution, is equanimity of cases a goal in
> your
> 	distribution, and how you determine who gets what.  Any info will be
> GREATLY
> 	appreciated :-)
>
> 	Thanks!
> 	Amy Woodfin
> 	Pathology Supervisor
> 	St. Joseph Hospital
> 	Bellingham, WA  98225
>
>