Joyce,

Don's right.

If a code is given to someone else there is no way to verify that any
signature resulting from it is valid.  In a my previous situation we had
a policy that if a code was given out by a pathologist, that
pathologists electronic signature was no longer considered valid until
the code was changed.

The whole idea is that only the person responsible for clearing the
final version of a report electronically "signs" the report. Delegating
that to a secretary (or whoever) is not acceptable.


Tim Morken, B.S., EMT(MSA), HTL(ASCP)
Infectious Disease Pathology
Centers for Disease Control
MS-G32
1600 Clifton Rd.
Atlanta, GA 30333
USA

email: tim9@cdc.gov
       timcdc@hotmail.com

FAX:  (404)639-3043

----Original Message Follows----
Date: Wed, 11 Nov 1998 16:11:49 -0500
From: "Luke, Don" <don.luke@SGMC.ORG>
Subject: RE: CLIA
To: "'Weems, Joyce'" <JWEEMS@sjha.org>
Cc: 'HISTONET' <histonet@pathology.swmed.edu>

Giving someone a "secret" signature code defeats the whole purpose of
having a secret code.  I interpret CLIA as you, A pathologist should NOT
give their signature code to anyone.  Also, they are required to change
their password every 6 months in order to ensure no one "acquires" their
signature code.
 Don Luke, HT (ASCP)
SOUTH GEORGIA MEDICAL CENTER
DEPARTMENT OF PATHOLOGY
2501 N. Patterson St
VALDOSTA, GA 31603
PHONE (912) 259-4830



>----------
>From: 	Weems, Joyce[SMTP:JWEEMS@sjha.org]
>Sent: 	Wednesday, November 11, 1998 2:24 PM
>To: 	'histonet@pathology.swmed.edu'
>Subject: 	CLIA
>
>Hey You Guys!
>
>I am trying to determine exactly who is required by CLIA to
>electronically sign out a pathology or cytology case. My interpretation
>is that the pathologist needs to sign out the cases themselves and can
>not pass that duty along to someone else using their computer code. How
>does everyone else interpret this?
>
>Thanks, Joyce
>
>






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