Automation and Technology in the Histology Laboratory (Online CE Course)

(based on 201 customer ratings)

Author: Joelle Weaver MAOM, HTL(ASCP), QIHC
Reviewer: Elaine Frakes, MBA, HT(ASCP)CM

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Overall, the idea of high quality tied to efficiency is a consistent theme throughout the current healthcare environment. Like all areas of the laboratory, histology is turning to automation and technology in order to meet these increasing demands. This course will review the various types of automation and technology available to histology laboratories and the possible impact it can have on histology workflow.

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Continuing Education Credits

P.A.C.E.® Contact Hours (acceptable for AMT, ASCP, and state recertification): 2 hour(s)
Approved through 4/30/2024
Approved through 4/30/2024

Objectives

  • Define key terminology related to the histology laboratory testing cycle, technology, and automation.
  • Identify barcode and other technology that can assist in error reduction.
  • Describe key differences between batch and continuous flow specimen processing.
  • Differentiate the advantages and disadvantages between open and closed automated systems.
  • Identify tasks and processes within histology that have been successfully automated.
  • Discuss the impact of technology and automation on workflow and operations within the histology laboratory.

Customer Ratings

(based on 201 customer ratings)

Course Outline

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Additional Information

Level of Instruction: Intermediate
Intended Audience: This course is intended for histology bench technicians and technologists, supervisors, and administrators. This content may benefit those working with or who may be contemplating new automation and technology for use in the histology laboratory. A fundamental background in the technology and automation used for histology will provide information for those who may be considering potential process improvement.
Author Information: Joelle Weaver MAOM, HTL(ASCP), QIHC is a certified histotechnologist (HTL) with experience in clinical, research, and reference histopathology. She has received qualification from the ASCP in immunohistochemistry and is a local ASCP representative for the Nashville, Tennessee area. Her bachelor's degree was received from Bowling Green State University in Bowling Green, Ohio and her master's degree was awarded from Bluffton University in Bluffton, Ohio. Positions held include education coordinator, lead instructor, and program director of a NAACLS-accredited HT certification training program.
Reviewer Information: Elaine Frakes, MBA, HT(ASCP)CM is the Anatomic Pathology Manager for Adventist Health in Portland, Oregon. She holds a Master of Business Administration degree, with a concentration in Healthcare Management as well as a Bachelor of Science degree in Healthcare Management, with a concentration in Health Informatics from Colorado Technical University, Colorado Springs, Colorado. She is certified as a Histotechnician and has 17 years of experience in the field of Histology.
Course Description: Histological testing has historically been carried out using long-established manual work processes that have remained relatively unchanged over the last one hundred years. As medicine progresses into the era of personalized medicine, histology is responding by moving toward more complex testing such as prognostic immunohistochemistry (IHC) and molecular pathology. In addition, factors such as the demand for reduced turnaround times and staffing shortages have also driven the increased adoption of automation and technology in the histology laboratory.

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