Feature Story

How lab sections were defined
How many staff does it take?

November 2004
Karen Lusky

Anatomic pathology included gynecologic or nongynecologic cytopathology, surgical pathology, histochemistry, immunohistochemistry, or autopsy pathology (one or more). Excluded were test counts or staff related to electron microscopy, flow cytometry, or peripheral blood smear evaluation.

Chemistry/hematology/immunology included routine and special testing in chemistry, hematology, coagulation, urinalysis, serology, and immunology (whether done in the central or off-site laboratory). The category included staff associated with a central specimen processing area or send-out area. Send-out test counts and staff time devoted to phlebotomy were not included. Nor was staff or test counts related to:

• Athletic drug testing
• Heavy metal analysis
• Quantitative sweat analysis
• Point-of-care tests
• Manual smear reviews unless they were billed
• Toxicological confirmatory testing
• Any calculated tests

Microbiology included aerobic and anaerobic cultures, antimicrobial susceptibility testing, mycobacterial and mycology cultures, or parasitology (one or more). Excluded were test counts or staff time devoted to serological testing, virus cultures, or rapid tests for viruses.

Transfusion medicine included blood type/ABO, atypical antibody ID, or holding and dispensing of blood products (one or more). Excluded were test counts or staff related to collection of autologous or heterologous blood, testing associated with unit collection, tissue bank functions, or on-site pheresis.

Karen Lusky is a writer in Brentwood, Tenn. For more information about CAP Q-Probes and how to enroll, call the CAP at 800-323-4040 or 847-832-7000 option 1#.