News for the Entire Laboratory Team

In January 2008, ASCP launched a new quarterly newsmagazine for members called Critical Values. The primary purpose of this publication is to provide news of interest to the entire laboratory team—pathologists and laboratory professionals alike. Each issue is devoted to a particular theme that reflects the “critical values” of the Society and explores the important issues facing the profession. These themes include Humanitarianism, Service, Technology, and the Workforce. The name “Critical Values” was also chosen to call attention to the imperative for pathologists and laboratory professionals to communicate effectively with their customers. Patients’ lives depend on successful communication of critical values, which remains an ongoing challenge. Each issue of Critical Values will focus on a different aspect of important topic.

July Critical Values Focuses on Technology

The July issue of Critical Values continues the conversation about issues raised in the ASCP Task Force Report on the Future of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine. As the report made clear, we are undoubtedly in the midst of a technological revolution.

“The manner in which the professions of pathology and laboratory medicine embrace this revolution will determine our future,” the report states. “If we choose to incorporate these technologies into our daily practice, we will be central to patient care. If we do not transform ourselves, we will be peripheral players at best.”

Molecular diagnostics is no longer a blip on the horizon. It is upon us and, I hope, not passing us by. According to the Task Force report, “Laboratory professionals have not moved as aggressively to appropriate molecular diagnostics as they could have, and the window to do so is closing.”

Thought leaders of the profession have of late been mulling over a way for pathology to embrace and appropriate molecular diagnostics, and it involves an unprecedented collaboration with radiology. Not long ago, the prospect of merging these two disciplines would have been met with resounding rejection.

As a harbinger of the very near future, three articles in this issue of Critical Values either mention or explore in greater depth the relationship of pathology to radiology: in molecular diagnostics, digital imaging, and laboratory informatics. Look closely—we are already interconnected.

Mindful that we can easily get too engrossed in technology, this issue also presents a call to emerge from the laboratory and improve our relationships with our fellow health care professionals. A laboratory professional, a nurse, and a dermatologist—all in one family—have pooled their experience to share successful strategies.

Each issue of Critical Values features an article about some aspect of critical values, such as the challenges in defining, detecting, or communicating them. We welcome Dr. Teresa Darcy’s important contribution to this issue and invite you to share some of the challenges you have faced and the successful strategies you have implemented.

Finally, after taking all this in, meander to Arts in Culture for an enjoyable respite from the world of technology with serene paintings by pathologist Jack Frable.

Volume 1, Issue 1, January 2008 (PDF)
Volume 1, Issue 2, April 2008 (PDF)
Volume 1, Issue 3, July 2008 (PDF)