What is Root Cause Analysis? I have been working in the histology profession for more than 40 years and it took me many of those years to fully understand and learn how to perform an effective Root Cause Analysis (RCA). RCA is a method of problem solving used for identifying the cause of...
Today, immunohistochemistry (IHC) is an essential and routinely used ancillary tool in anatomic pathology for clinical diagnostics and research laboratories. Over the years there have been great advancements in IHC with cancer research and clinical diagnosis, which has improved accuracy,...
Cervical cancer is one of the most preventable and treatable types of cancer. In 2020, it was estimated that 600,000 women worldwide were diagnosed with the disease and more than 340,000 dying as a result. With cervical cancer often linked to lifestyle factors, a well-balanced diet can help...
My histology lab onboarded polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for dermatomycosis a couple of years ago. I was charged with figuring out the ins and outs of onboarding this new test while making sure we could pass an audit by CLIA and CAP. Little by little, the path to PCR was painstakingly teased...
You may have been advised in the past to contact your field applications specialist or sales rep when it comes to questions or troubleshooting in the lab, but what is the role of this person and how can they help you? The duties of the field application specialist are twofold. Field...
The Joint Commission established National Patient Safety Goals in 2002 to address patient safety in healthcare. One of these goals is to improve the effectiveness of communication among caregivers. SBAR ( S ituation, B ackground, A ssessment, R ecommendation) was recommended by The Joint...
As a former Program Director for a Histologic Science Program, I worked closely with students in the area of career advancement. Many students remained content with the knowledge they gained and the hands on skillset they would have to perform laboratory work, while others saw the certified...
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The Paradox of Clinical Students It’s a paradox histology lab supervisors are all too familiar with - the lab is short-staffed, everyone’s working hard, and you need more staff. Taking on students, trainees, new employees, or cross-training might help in the long run, but it’s hard to dedicate...
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The ongoing pandemic, staffing shortages and the “Great Resignation” all highlight the importance of effective leadership on laboratory operations. We all have, at one time or another, worked for or with a leader that is completely clueless of their impact. Sometimes the excellence and...
Over the years, I have encountered numerous techniques to soften and section nail specimens. This includes everything from soaking the exposed specimen in your water bath, different types of softening agents like solutions of potassium hydroxide and even a product like Nair. One rarely...