Summary:
Summary Statement of Deficiencies D6076 LABORATORY DIRECTOR CFR(s): 493.1441 The laboratory must have a director who meets the qualification requirements of 493. 1443 of this subpart and provides overall management and direction in accordance with 493.1445 of this subpart. This CONDITION is not met as evidenced by: Based on observation, record review, and staff interview, the laboratory director failed to provide overall management and direction to ensure testing personnel performing high complexity histopathology testing meet educational qualification requirements in 2020. Findings include: 1) The laboratory director failed to ensure that testing personnel performing inking and mapping have the appropriate education for performing high complexity testing prior to patient testing. This is a repeat deficiency from the initial survey completed on 10/11/2016. Refer to tag D6102. D6102 LABORATORY DIRECTOR RESPONSIBILITIES CFR(s): 493.1445(e)(12) The laboratory director must ensure that prior to testing patients' specimens, all personnel have the appropriate education and experience, receive the appropriate training for the type and complexity of the services offered, and have demonstrated that they can perform all testing operations reliably to provide and report accurate results. This STANDARD is not met as evidenced by: Based on observation, record review, and staff interview, the laboratory director failed to ensure that testing personnel performing inking and mapping have the appropriate education for performing high complexity histopathology testing prior to patient Statement of Deficiencies (X1) Provider/Supplier/CLIA Identification Number (X3) Date Survey Completed Name of Provider or Supplier Street Address, City, State -- 1 of 3 -- testing in 2020. Findings include: 1) Observation on 9/24/2020 at approximately 9:00 a.m. revealed the laboratory director delivering tissue specimen to the Moh's technician in the laboratory. The Moh's technician then inked and mapped the tissue prior to beginning the slide making process. 2) Review of the Moh's technician's qualifications revealed the technician obtained an Associates of Science in Nursing in May 2020. 3) Interview with the Moh's technician and the office manager on 9/24 /2020 at 9:45 a.m. confirmed the the above findings. The Moh's technician revealed she began inking and mapping after obtaining her nursing degree. 4) The laboratory performed an estimated 454 tests in June, July, August, and September based on an annual volume of 1,362. 5) This is a repeat deficiency cited for the same Moh's technician's qualifiations from the initial survey completed on 10/11/2016. D6168 TESTING PERSONNEL CFR(s): 493.1487 The laboratory has a sufficient number of individuals who meet the qualification requirements of 493.1489 of this subpart to perform the functions specified in 493. 1495 of this subpart for the volume and complexity of testing performed. This CONDITION is not met as evidenced by: Based on observation, record review and staff interview on 9/24/2020, the laboratory personnel performing inking and mapping failed to meet qualification requirements in 2020. This is a repeat deficiency from the initial survey completed 10/11/2016. Findings include: 1) One of one testing personnel who performed inking and mapping of specimens did not meet education requirements for high complexity testing. Refer to Tag D6171. D6171 TESTING PERSONNEL QUALIFICATIONS CFR(s): 493.1489(b) (b) Meet one of the following requirements: (b)(1) Be a doctor of medicine, doctor of osteopathy, or doctor of podiatric medicine licensed to practice medicine, osteopathy, or podiatry in the State in which the laboratory is located or have earned a doctoral, master's or bachelor's degree in a chemical, physical, biological or clinical laboratory science, or medical technology from an accredited institution; (b)(2)(i) Have earned an associate degree in a laboratory science, or medical laboratory technology from an accredited institution or-- (b)(2)(ii) Have education and training equivalent to that specified in paragraph (b)(2)(i) of this section that includes-- (b)(2)(ii)(A) At least 60 semester hours, or equivalent, from an accredited institution that, at a minimum, include either-- (b)(2)(ii)(A)(1) 24 semester hours of medical laboratory technology courses; or (b)(2)(ii)(A)(2) 24 semester hours of science courses that include-- (b)(2) (ii)(A)(2)(i) Six semester hours of chemistry; (b)(2)(ii)(A)(2)(ii) Six semester hours of biology; and (b)(2)(ii)(A)(2)(iii) Twelve semester hours of chemistry, biology, or medical laboratory technology in any combination; and (b)(2)(ii)(B) Have laboratory training that includes either of the following: (b)(2)(ii)(B)(1) Completion of a clinical laboratory training program approved or accredited by the ABHES, the CAHEA, or other organization approved by HHS. (This training may be included in the 60 semester hours listed in paragraph (b)(2)(ii)(A) of this section.) (b)(2)(ii)(B)(2) At least 3 months documented laboratory training in each specialty in which the individual performs high complexity testing. (b)(3) Have previously qualified or could have qualified as a technologist under 493.1491 on or before February 28, 1992; (b) (4) On or before April 24, 1995 be a high school graduate or equivalent and have -- 2 of 3 -- either-- (b)(4)(i) Graduated from a medical laboratory or clinical laboratory training program approved or accredited by ABHES, CAHEA, or other organization approved by HHS; or (b)(4)(ii) Successfully completed an official U.S. military medical laboratory procedures training course of at least 50 weeks duration and have held the military enlisted occupational specialty of Medical Laboratory Specialist (Laboratory Technician); (b)(5)(i) Until September 1, 1997-- (b)(5)(i)(A) Have earned a high school diploma or equivalent; and (b)(5)(i)(B) Have documentation of training appropriate for the testing performed before analyzing patient specimens. Such training must ensure that the individual has-- (b)(5)(i)(B)(1) The skills required for proper specimen collection, including patient preparation, if applicable, labeling, handling, preservation or fixation, processing or preparation, transportation and storage of specimens; (b)(5)(i)(B)(2) The skills required for implementing all standard laboratory procedures; (b)(5)(i)(B)(3) The skills required for performing each test method and for proper instrument use; (b)(5)(i)(B)(4) The skills required for performing preventive maintenance, troubleshooting, and calibration procedures related to each test performed; (b)(5)(i)(B)(5) A working knowledge of reagent stability and storage; (b)(5)(i)(B)(6) The skills required to implement the quality control policies and procedures of the laboratory; (b)(5)(i)(B)(7) An awareness of the factors that influence test results; and (b)(5)(i)(B)(8) The skills required to assess and verify the validity of patient test results through the evaluation of quality control values before reporting patient test results; and (b)(5)(i)(B)(8)(ii) As of September 1, 1997, be qualified under 493.1489(b)(1), (b)(2), or (b)(4), except for those individuals qualified under paragraph (b)(5)(i) of this section who were performing high complexity testing on or before April 24, 1995; (b)(6) For blood gas analysis-- (b)(6) (i) Be qualified under 493.1489(b)(1), (b)(2), (b)(3), (b)(4), or (b)(5); (b)(6)(ii) Have earned a bachelor's degree in respiratory therapy or cardiovascular technology from an accredited institution; or (b)(6)(iii) Have earned an associate degree related to pulmonary function from an accredited institution; or (b)(7) For histopathology, meet the qualifications of 493.1449 (b) or (l) to perform tissue examinations. This STANDARD is not met as evidenced by: Based on observation, record review and staff interview, testing personnel who performed inking and mapping failed to meet education requirements to perform high complexity testing in 2020. This is a repeat deficiency from the initial survey completed 10/11/2016. Findings include: 1) Observation on 9/24/2020 at approximately 9:00 a.m. revealed the laboratory director delivering tissue specimen to the Moh's technician in the laboratory. The Moh's technician then inked and mapped the tissue prior to beginning the slide making process. 2) Review of the Moh's technician's qualifications revealed the technician obtained an Associates of Science in Nursing in May 2020. 3) Interview with the Moh's technician and the office manager on 9/24/2020 at 9:45 a.m. confirmed the the above findings. The Moh's technician revealed she began inking and mapping after obtaining her nursing degree. -- 3 of 3 --