The first rule of any technology used in a business is that automation applied to an efficient operation will magnify the efficiency. The second is that automation applied to an inefficient operation will magnify the inefficiency. - Bill Gates

The Histology Lab, as we know it today, is rapidly being transformed and consolidated to create the new Integrated Histology Lab. In this new Integrated Lab, Routine Histology (tissue processing, cutting and staining) will be but one piece of the diagnosis puzzle and a small  part of the information collected and conveyed in the Surgical Pathology Report. The Histotechnologist will need to learn a whole new set of skills and will be competing with Medical Technologists for the control and management of this new Lab.

No, routine Histology is not being replaced, but for cases that provide a diagnostic or differential diagnosis, one or more technologies now residing in the Clinical Lab will be integrated into the Surgical Pathology Report and a Pathologists will use the information provided by these technologies to develop the final diagnosis.  That means Cytogenetics, Flow Cytometry, Molecular Biology and Radiology will be sharing and competing for samples normally used only for Routine Histology.

This transformation means there will be many new issues and challenges to workflow, workload, quality control and quality assurance. This is not a time for Pathologists or Histotechnologists to sit back and allow anyone else to step in and try to manage this process. Who else is better qualified or has the necessary background and knowledge to drive the efficient use of small irreplaceable specimens to realize maximum information? Shouldn’t we demand to strengthen our relationship witht the the doctors, surgeons, clinicians and patients instead of distancing ourselves through the management of others? What do you think we should do or how do you see this change taking place?