Tom, the common pathology numbering schemes I have seen do give each
specimen a unique number, though all use sub-numbers/codes to the original
accession number. So a number like S05-1234-1-A is "Surgical 2005, Accession
number 1234, part 1, block A. This uniquely identifies the tissue part and
even the block, so is much more preferable to separate numbers for each
specimen because the specimens are generally from a single PROCEDURE, so are
logically grouped together. If we were to give separate accession numbers to
differnet parts of tissue taken at the same time, to then later try to group
them somehow would require subcodes, just as is done now. So there would be
no practical advantage. Your lab manager is most likely a med tech, and they
usually work with discreet specimens such as single blood draws, etc, that
do not need to be related by anything other than they are from the same
person.

Tim Morken



-----Original Message-----
From: histonet-bounces@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
[mailto:histonet-bounces@lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of Tom McNemar
Sent: Monday, March 06, 2006 5:44 AM
To: 'histonet@pathology.swmed.edu'
Subject: [Histonet] entering multiple specimens


A question has come up regarding how we enter our specimens.  My lab manager
is asking why we don't give each individual specimen a unique pathology
specimen number.  For example, if we receive a pair of tonsils in 2 separate
containers, she doesn't understand why we assign one surgical number and
list them as specimen 1 and 2 instead of giving them 2 unique surgical
numbers.  For something like a colonoscopy with 10 specimens that would be
10 unique surgical numbers and 10 reports.  I can't image anyone doing
this.... never heard of it being done but then I've only worked in 2 histo
labs.  I don't see it being done this way but I thought I'd ask.

So that's my question.  Does anybody do it this way?  It would seem to
really complicate things and a separate report would have to be issued for
each specimen number.  I'm sure our GI guys would love getting 14 or 15
separate repors for the same case..... 

My manager doesn't really understand histo but she tries really hard.  She
always trys to apply the rules of general lab to us.  Her argument is that
micro, heme, chemistry, etc. all give separate specimen numbers.


Tom McNemar, HT(ASCP)
Histology Co-ordinator
Licking Memorial Hospital
Newark, Ohio  43055 

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