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Spring 2009
The Geor g ia Soc ie ty fo r H i s t o te chno logy
MICROTIME
Presidents Message Page 2
Great Meeting Page 4
Message from Associate Editor Page 6
GSH Membership Form Page 8
GSH Board of Directors Page 9
Reducing Immuno. Expense Page 11
NSH Symposium Page 14
NSH Membership Form Page 16
Inside…..
If You Missed the Georgia Meeting
this Year, You Missed a GREAT
Meeting! Support Your Society,
Meet Your Fellow Histotechnologists,
Learn New Techniques and ….
Have Some Fun!
Issue 2 Spring 2009
2
Dear GSH Members,
First let me say on behalf of the officers and Board of Directors, thank you for your continued confi-
dence in us. It is with great pleasure that we look forward to serving you for the next two years. This is your
society and your input and ideas are very important to us especially as we try to provide first-class continuing
education to all the members in this difficult time in which we’re living. We are well aware of the hardships
many of you face with cutbacks in continuing education funding by your employers. We are doing everything
within our power to ensure that meetings are held in locations that are affordable and will offer you the best
opportunity to earn CEU’s.
It is with great pleasure that I report on the state of the society. GSH is in good financial shape, and
your officers and Board of Directors, based on feedback from the membership at the state meeting in St.
Simons Island, are hard at work finding ways to implement changes to better serve you the members. We hope
to announce before the NSH meeting in the fall, the location of our next state meeting.
As many of you know we have been able to provide free membership to any Histotech working or re-
tired in the state of Georgia. We plan to continue offering this and we strongly encourage you to seek out those
who have not filled out membership forms. Have them go to the GSH website at www.histosearch.com/gsh
and submit them to the membership chairperson. We do require you to renew your membership once a year so
we have a current record of your address and we can keep you informed. I also strongly encourage you join
NSH and encourage others to join also. The number of GSH delegates to the NSH House of Delegates is based
on the number of NSH members in Georgia. Since the House of Delegates is the ruling body, it is important
that we have as many delegates as possible. The house votes on changes and new ideas, which are submitted to
the board of directors for implementation.
We are living in challenging times and I look forward to hearing from each and every one of you con-
cerning any new ideas or suggestions you might have that would better the society. We are seeking people who
are willing to serve on committees and assist in the running of your society. If you wish to participate as com-
mittee member or a volunteer at the meetings, we would like to hear from you at your earliest convenience.
Your officers and Board of Directors are here to serve you and I strongly encourage you to contact any one of
us with any questions or concerns you might have.
Sincerely,
Mike
Mike Ayers
President
Georgia Society for Histotechnology
President Letter…. Page 2
3
Thank You Vendors…
We couldn’t do it without
You!
C.L. Sturkey Disposable
Microtome Knives
• Family owned and operated in
Central Pennsylvania
• All products made in the USA
• Call for free samples
• Unconditional guarantee
www.sturkey.com
Rene Buesa is doing a GREAT survey!
Email him at the email address below and
join in!
This is the moment to participate in a survey
dealing with histology productivity and
benchmarking aimed at expanding the one
published in 2006 in Advance for MLP. The
participants will receive an evaluation about
the overall workflow productivity of their
histolab and how it compares with the gen-
eral median value. If you want to participate
write me at [email protected] to receive
the questionnaire. Don't let this opportunity
of evaluating your histolab pass by!"
Rene
This is a Great opportunity! My manager
was very please I participated! If you answer
the survey you will know how your lab
works and where you need to improve your
workflow. To get this kind of information
usually costs a lot of money.
Carole Fields
GSH NEWSLETTER RATES
Business Card - $50
Half Page - $85
Full Page or Insert - $125
Make check payable to :
GSH
%Ann Taylor
6645 Goodall Mill Rd.
Macon, GA 31216
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WHAT A GREAT MEETING!!!
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Congratulations Anne Taylor
Histotechnologist of the Year!
Page 5
Congratulations
Brecton Brantley
Student Histologist of the Year!
Congratulations
Shirley Powell
The Presidents Award!
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Georgia Society for Histotechnology 2009 Sea Palms Resort, St. Simons Island, Georgia
WHAT A GREAT SUCCESS!!!
After attending the GSH meeting in St. Simon’s Island this past spring, I wanted to give some thoughts
about the meeting and about our society in general. As a member of the society and the GSH board, I am
proud to be a part of this organization. We have a committed board of directors which is the foundation for an
excellent society. I think this past meeting in St. Simon’s Island signified this commitment given the current
state of the economy and the cutbacks occurring across all sectors of the economy (including healthcare).
The meeting was well attended by both practitioners and vendors. Not enough thanks can be said to
the vendors that support our society. The workshops presented provided insight into some of the more chal-
lenging aspects of our field including immunohistochemistry, artifacts, and decal and providing technical sup-
port for your laboratory equipment.
As the educational coordinator for the Histotechnology program at Darton College, one of my privi-
leges is to nominate a person for student of the year. The Holde Puchtler award was given to Breckon
Brantley, a May graduate of our program. Breckon resides in Atlanta and is currently employed at Egleston
Children’s Hospital.
Presenting this award was really a satisfying moment for me because it signifies “the changing of the
guards.” Breckon is one of many who will take their place in a field that has been sowed by many who will
soon come of retirement age. And the reason I bring this up is because it is important for our membership to
recognize that a successful society depends largely on its ability to pass the torch. I am hopeful that in the
coming years, we will see new leaders emerge to take the place of those who have paved the way.
Regards,
Carl Sagasser, BS, HT (ASCP) Microtime Associate Editor
Educational Coordinator
Histotechnology program
Darton College
2400 Gillionville Road
Albany, GA 317071
(229) 317-6974
Page 6
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Are You Studying For The
HT/HTL EXAMS?
Then you NEED the MSH STUDY GUIDE WORK BOOK!
This is an 86-page guide covering fourteen different Histology related topics ranging from standard Histology to special
procedures, immunology, chemistry and even research and development. The workbook is an expansion of the ASCP
Board of Registry HT/HTL examination content guidelines.
Available for $20.00 PER COPY
To order your copy
1) Go online at www.mihisto.org and order your copy from the MSH e-store.
2) Or, just complete this form
NAME_______________________________________________________
ADDRESS____________________________________________________
CITY______________________ STATE________ ZIP CODE__________
PHONE_________________________________# OF COPIES__________
And make your check or money order payable to: MICHIGAN SOCIETY OF HISTOTECHNOLOGY
Then mail the form and payment to: MICHIGAN SOCIETY OF HISTOTECHNOLOGY
C/O CONNIE WARREN
53682 OAK GROVE
SHELBY TOWNSHIP, MI 48315
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Any questions or inquires:
(586) 286-0982 WORK
(586) 212-1782 CELL
Good Luck!! Connie Warren, Study Guide Chairperson
Page 7
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Membership Chair:
Janie Regenold
PO Box 5720
Macon GA 31201
Name_________________________________________________________________________________
Home Address__________________________________________________________________________
City____________________________________________State___________Zip____________________
Home Phone_____________________________________Fax___________________________________
Home Email____________________________________________________________________________
Employer Name_________________________________________________________________________
Employer Address_______________________________________________________________________
City____________________________________________State_____________Zip___________________
Work Phone_________________________________ ____Fax____________________________________
Work Email_____________________________________________________________________________
Would you be interested in serving on a committee? Yes_____________ No________________
Specify and contact any of the officers or committee chairs on the home page.
MEMBERSHIP YEAR IS FROM JANUARY TO DECEMBER
_
Membership in GSH is free to anyone active, retired from or a student in histology in Georgia. Please fill
out all blanks completely. This should be done each year in January to be counted as a GSH member for
representation in the NSH House of Delegates held at the annual Symposium/Convention. You will be
mailed a current Membership card upon submission.
GEORGIA SOCIETY FOR HISTOTECHNOLOGY
MEMBERSHIP OR RENEWAL FORM
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BOARD OF DIRECTORS
GSH PRESIDENT
Mike Ayers
Newnan, GA
PH: 770- 304-4065
FX: 770- 253-2570
Email: mike. [email protected]
GSH VICE PRESIDENT & GSH EXHIBIT LIAISON
Christopher M. Coley HT (ASCP)
Calhoun, GA
Email: [email protected]
(c) 706-506-5307
GSH TREASURER & BUDGET AND FINANCE CHAIR
Mary Anne Taylor
6645Goodall Mill Rd.
Macon, GA 31216
PH: 478-788-1286
Email: [email protected]
GSH SECRETARY & WEB MANAGER
Shirley A. Powell
Macon, GA
PH: 478-301-2374
FX: 478-301-5489
Email: [email protected]
GSH MEMBERSHIP CHAIR
Janie Regenold
Macon, GA
Email: [email protected]
GSH EDUCATION COORDINATOR and
MICROTIME ASSOCIATE EDITOR
Carl Sagasser
Albany, GA
PH: 229-317-6974
FX: 229-317-6682
Email: [email protected]
Page 9
HISTORIAN
Janet Hobbs
Augusta, GA
PH: 706-721-8515
Email: [email protected]
PAST PRESIDENT, GSH BYLAWS & LEGISLATIVE CHAIR
Connie Wavrin
Decatur, GA
PH: 404-321-6111 ext 2030
Email: [email protected]
MICROTIME EDITOR
Carole Fields
Marietta, GA
PH: 404-895-9604
Email: [email protected]
GSH PR/AWARDS CHAIR
Fran Adams
Riverdale, GA
PH: 770-994-1360
GSH SYMPOSIUM REGISTRAR
Harriett Baker
Griffin, GA
770-229-6909
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Send us your job openings,
ideas for articles, and ads...
We will be glad to add
them in the newsletter…...
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Reducing Immunohistochemistry Expense
By Joe Myers, MS, CT(ASCP)
The field of immunohistochemistry (IHC) has matured in recent years and the competitive forces created by entry of new instru-ments and reagent vendors have leveled the playing field considerably. Histologists, pathologists and laboratory managers must equip themselves with information and tools to assess their current situation and make important financial decisions for the future. Such opportunities include: • determining the use of a reference lab versus performing procedures in-house • converting from manual IHC staining to use of an automated system • purchasing reagents from an alternative vendor (when that option exists) • switching from one vendor's slide stainer (and reagents) to another It is the latter option that has become increasingly popular, as laboratories find it necessary to replace instruments that lack the ca-pacity to meet their increased slide-processing needs or do not provide the advanced features of newer systems.
Evaluating Your Current Situation The first step in the process of analyzing costs is to gather data relating to your lab's current situation. If, for example, you send specimens to a reference lab, you will need to know what part of the IHC procedure is performed there (i.e., staining only or staining with interpretation), and whether the lab charges various payors directly for their services or charge your lab a fee that is then fac-tored into your charge to these payors. Knowing your costs for the technical and/or professional component of IHC procedures will help you determine the financial practicality of your options. A more common scenario involves considering an alternative vendor when your lab is already using an automated system. In this case, it is important for you to know your laboratory's annualized IHC slide-processing volume (either including or excluding controls), and what items are (or will be) purchased to operate the system and produce stained slides for your pathologists (e.g., reagents, other consumables and service contract fees). This is especially true when it comes time to ask alterna-tive vendors to prepare a cost estimate, since it is essential to accurately account for these items before comparing one vendor's proposal to another. It may also be useful to examine these costs as costs-per-slide, since one of your primary objectives is, un-doubtedly, to minimize your expense and maximize net revenue. This information may also be useful in determining if it is practical to acquire an automated slide stainer through the reagent rental programs offered by most vendors.
Gathering Your Data One of the most important data elements needed for assessing IHC costs is your anticipated or actual slide-processing volume, par-ticularly as it relates to individual antibodies and whether you include positive and negative control slides. Ideally, this data can be obtained from your laboratory information system (LIS), if it has been programmed to keep track of different stains (antibodies). An alternative approach may be to use the total number of billed IHC procedures from either your LIS or billing system, adjust that num-ber by adding a known quantity or percentage of slides for controls and multiply the final figure by the average cost of the antibodies that your lab expects to use. Similarly, knowing how many slides can be stained with each vial/container of antibody and reagent within a detection kit is essential because that will determine how many units of each will be needed over time. One of the most significant factors that should be included in any cost analysis is heat-induced epitope retrieval (HIER), especially whether HIER is performed manually or within an automated system that provides this feature, since the cost associated with these alternative approaches is considerably different.
Evaluating Your Results Assuming that you have gathered your procedure volume and reagent usage data in a manner similar to the method outlined above, you should be able to determine how much your lab will spend on antibodies, detection reagents and ancillary products over the course of a year. The next step is to request cost estimates from alternative vendors, with the hope that they will provide an equally accurate accounting of the products needed to perform IHC procedures by their recommended (manual) protocols or with an automated system. Finally, you compare these proposals to your internal analysis to see if opportunities to reduce expenses exist and in what ways, since use of another vendor's reagents or slide stainer may also necessitate changes in workflow or staff training. A prudent, objective analysis of your current situation is the best way to determine if a laboratory should consider using alternative reagents or modifying its IHC procedures. Joe Myers is a board-certified technologist, sales professional and consultant who resides in Clearwater, FL. He is a former hospital laboratory manager and has extensive experience with immunohistochemistry and automated slide staining systems.
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Scott Bryant
www.sbryantinc.com
Mobile: 404-697-9590
When
Symposium Dates
October 2-7, 2009 Friday October 2nd is primarily a
check in day Scientific Exhibits
October 4-6, 2009
Where
5 Days, Countless Experiences in
Birmingham, AL Sessions & Scientific Exhibits take place in the
Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex,
2101 Civic Center Boulevard. NSH has reserved
rooms at the Sheraton Birmingham Hotel,
Doubletree Birmingham, and
The Historic Tutwiler (Hampton Inn & Suites).
Check on line at NSH.org for complete
Registration and hotel information.
You can register on line and check the
Workshops offered.
DON’T WAIT!! SEE YOU THERE!
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Mail Preference : All NSH Correspondence will be sent
to this address. In addition this address is published in
our online membership directory. Home □ Work □
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Georgia Rep…..
Sandy Schmitz
404-697-5262
18
TO:
Carole Fields, HT (ASCP)
962 Hickory Leaf Ct.
Marietta, GA 30065
