In my lab, standards and averages are exactly that.  As a group we all
decided to time each other and them we all agreed on the minimum average
everyone was comfortable with and then you can increase the standard to see
who can excel. The standard should have not only the # to accomplish during
a time frame but also a minimum # of mistakes allowed.  (example: cuts 30
blks/hr. with zero slides returned due to wrinkles or folds etc.)  This is
how "the one who out does the others can get a merit raise" versus those who
just want to come and get a paycheck.   Understand that the minimum standard
cannot be one that is so low that you cannot get your work out at your
projected time and quantity.  There is a time when a supervisor must step in
and say these are standards that everyone can achieve and excel.  Everyone
then signs a copy of those standards and then it is done.  When new
employees come in, you show them the standards and help them meet at least
the minimum average. You do these standards for your lab and your lab alone
not the national average.

Hector Hernandez Jr. HT(ASCP)
A.P. Technical Operations Manager
210)534-8857 Ext.2207
210)531-4506 (Fax)

-----Original Message-----
From: Mary Reeves [mailto:REEVEML@shands.ufl.edu]
Sent: Wednesday, July 03, 2002 8:06 AM
To: amosbrooks@comcast.net
Cc: histonet@pathology.swmed.edu
Subject: RE: RE: Standards and Averages


Let  me say once again.  I am not using this information to hammer the
techs.  There is no "why did it take you 2 hours to embed 60 blocks?"  I
know we deal with many different types of tissue  that require different
techniques.  I am not an idiot.  I plan to use this info to improve our work
flow and show management where it is and isn't realistic to place microwave
processing.  No one will be held to # standards.  Our techs are held to
quality standards not quantity.  However, I can not put quality on paper and
I must be able to justify to management why I think certain processes will
or will not work in our lab.  Now that I have received so many negative
responses, I am sorry I asked.  I thought I could receive some help from the
technical community.  I will do my own time studies and use my information
wisely to benefit the lab.

>>> "amosbrooks@comcast.net"  07/03/02 08:34AM >>>
Hi,
   You must understand that techs HATE to have time expectations placed on
them while doing such a finniky process. Each block is different
necessitating different strategies. One could liken it to how many oil
changes can you do per minute on 100 random cars. It depends on how big the
(engine)block is, how large the plug is, how tight the last jerk tightened
it. Time for cutting can vary. If the processing is PERFECT and the
embedding is PERFECT and ALL the tissues are identical shapes sixes and
types then you can make a proper assesment. But this never happens so it is
virtually impossible to have a proper guesstimate (guess / estimate). Are
you cutting breast specimens, uteri, bones, biopsies or a mix of them? How
are the techs going to react to the tissue being processed differently?
These are important questions to ask before assuming the techs should be
done with one load and ready for another. Flow charts are great for people
who are behind a desk not for the people doing the real work.
Amos Brooks

Original Message:
-----------------
From: Mary Reeves REEVEML@shands.ufl.edu 
Date: Tue, 02 Jul 2002 07:39:58 -0400
To: Mike_LaFriniere@memorial.org, histonet@pathology.swmed.edu 
Subject: RE: Standards and Averages


Maybe I should clarify why I want the info.  My department is currently
creating a flow chart so we can look at how we can better staff to meet our
turn around times.  Also we are going to demo a microwave processor.
Knowing that this will change our jobs tremendously, we would like to know
where it will fit into our lab's work flow.

>>> "LaFriniere, Mike"  07/01/02 07:44PM >>>
Mary,

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