The majority of Histotechs in our lab do 60-70% of the cases that come in each day. Histotechs have been performing gross dictation in this lab for over 25 years. CLIA has set the educational standard for gross dictation...it requires a minimum of an associate degree in clinical sciences(with a grandfather clause.) Each organization needs to define its protocols and practices. In ours, we have a specific list of tissues and corresponding pre-operative diagnoses that allow the tech to perform the gross dication. Techs are trained to stop gross at any point that the tissue is visually not consistent with the pre=op diagnosis. Specimens that fall outside this list are reviewed by the pathologist and the decision is made at that point who will perform the gross (the PA or the tech.)
We established the list of acceptable specimens for techs to gross with the manager of the Histology department sitting down and hashing it out with the pathologist over the Histology lab. The techs hold the right to pass on any tissue that they are not comfortable with...training for the tech will follow if needed.
Barb Davies
Memorial Hospital
Colorado Springs, CO
Melissa Jensen <melzy@indytel.com>
Melissa Jensen <melzy@indytel.com>
05/25/2002 08:09 PM
To: histonet@pathology.swmed.edu
cc:
Subject: GROSS!
How many of us Histotechs are doing gross?
What are you limited to concerning specimens you gross in?
Thanks for your help!