ST107 Block and Slide Tracking in Anatomic Pathology as an Essential Element of a Quality and Safety Program
9:30–11:30 am
2.5 CME/SAM CREDITS
Specimen labeling and tracking have been an integral part of clinical pathology quality and safety programs for years, but they are only recently gaining greater visibility in anatomic pathology. With demands to improve turnaround times, decrease costs, and improve patient care, pathologists are looking at barcode-based tracking solutions to improve efficiency, reduce labeling errors, and promote patient safety. Selecting and implementing such a system is neither trivial nor inexpensive. This course will provide a framework for participants to begin to establish a QA/safety program in anatomic pathology at their institutions. Faculty will discuss practical issues related to selecting, budgeting, implementing, and maintaining a tracking solution for the AP lab. Learn helpful tips to uncover secondary costs and hidden practices that may affect the success of your implementation. Following this session, participants may complete a related online self-assessment module, available through December 31, 2012. More details will be provided in the course.
You will learn to:
- Explain the principles underlying specimen, block, and slide tracking and how they can be used to improve patient safety in anatomic pathology
- Appraise and adjust departmental workflow before and after implementing these solutions
- Account for secondary costs associated with block and slide tracking
Faculty
Walter H. Henricks, MD, FCAP
Liron Pantanowitz, MD, FCAP
John H. Sinard, MD, PhD, FCAP