Interesting. At our last CAP inspection the CLIA rule was enforced. It is in the CAP guidelines as a reference to what is expected of non-pathologist grossing personnel. There seems to be a lot of variations? 
Denise Bland-Piontek, HTL (ASCP)
West Virginia University


>>> Aziz Ahmed Jafri  01/16/03 04:50PM >>>
Makes sense to us.

Melissa Jensen wrote:

> Ok all! I'm going open a can of worms here.CLIA is an interpretation
> and a guideline...Not Law...This issue came up recently and I told
> them what CLIA said.The powers that be, called CAP.CAP said." Its up
> to each institution,and the Pathologists .To determine what they
> consider  high complexity testing.Some say it starts at the gross of
> small biopsies..Others say not.So we don't have a fine a line as to
> what is or isn't.Its up to your Paths.As long as gross is being
> trained by the steps in listed in CAP.You are fine
>
>      ----- Original Message -----
>      From: Charles.Embrey
>      To: 'Cheasty, Sandra'
>      Cc: 'histonet@pathology.swmed.edu' 
>      Sent: Wednesday, January 15, 2003 11:36 AM
>      Subject: RE: HT Grossing
>       CLIA '88 lists the requirements for non-pathologists
>      grossing. Grossing is considered high-complexity testing
>      even if it's a punch biopsy or a shave. CLIA '88 states "On
>      or before April 24 1995 (I) be a high school graduate or
>      equivalent; and (b) have documentation of training
>      appropriate for the test performed before analyzing patient
>      specimens"................After that date it requires an
>      associate degree in a biological or chemical science or
>      medical laboratory technology -or- qualify as a medical
>      technologist with a bachelor's degree from an accredited
>      institution -or- earned a bachelor's degree in a chemical,
>      physical, biologic or clinical laboratory science.
>
>      ref. CLIA '88 493.1489
>
>      Also CAP requires a written instruction detailing what
>      specimens may be grossed with direct vs indirect
>      pathologists' observation. Direct means that the pathologist
>      literally watches over your shoulder while you gross the
>      specimen. Indirect means that he is readily available to
>      consult.
>
>      I hope this helps,
>
>      Charles R. Embrey Jr. PA(AAPA), HT(ASCP)
>      Histology Manager
>      Carle Clinic, Urbana Illinois
>
>      (217) 383-6621
>
>           -----Original Message-----
>           From: Cheasty, Sandra
>           [mailto:SCheasty@ahs.llumc.edu] 
>           Sent: Wednesday, January 15, 2003 10:20 AM
>           To: SMello8438@aol.com; HistoNet (E-mail)
>           Subject: RE: HT Grossing
>
>           Whether a simple small skin tag or dissection of
>           an entire colon, I was told by the local CLIA rep
>           that the requirements are the same.It falls under
>           the CLIA High Complexity Testing Personnel
>           Qualifications, Federal Register VOl. 60, No. 78,
>           April 1995, section 493.1489.If anyone out there
>           can summarize the standard and post it on the
>           Histonet, it would be greatly appreciated. Don't
>           most HT's that have gone through a formal 2 or 4
>           year bonifide histology college program satisfy
>           these requirements?
>
>           Sandra Cheasty
>           Lab Operations Manager
>           Loma Linda University Pathology
>
>
>           -----Original Message-----
>           From: SMello8438@aol.com 
>           [mailto:SMello8438@aol.com] 
>           Sent: Tuesday, January 14, 2003 15:08
>           To: histonet@pathology.swmed.edu 
>           Subject: HT Grossing
>
>
>                Hello Everyone
>
>                Does anyone know the ruling concerning
>                HT(ASCP) or HT eligible grossing small
>                biopsies?
>
>                Thanks in advance for you input.
>
>                Steven Mello,HT(ASCP)
>                Anatomical Pathology Supervisor
>