Rice Laboratory REACHOUT Summer 2015
A newsletter from the Laboratory Department of Rice Memorial Hospital
Lead Story Headline
Manager’s Moment
IN THIS ISSUE
CAP Accreditation
2
Deepest Sympathy
2
PATH NEWS– Lyme
Disease
3
Emotional Intelligence
4
NMLPW– Super Heroes
6
New Faces In the Lab
7
Test Changes
7
Retirement– L Erickson
7
Jason Mayer Resigns
8
NCBS News
9
Introducing the New Director of
Laboratory Services
Within the last few months, Rice Hospital Lab said
farewell to Jason Mayer as Director of Laboratory
Services and hello to a new director. I am honored to
be introducing myself as the next Rice Hospital
Director of Laboratory Services! I have worked and
lived in Willmar with my husband, Scott for the last 32
years. We have two grown children, Matthew and
Director of Laboratory Services
Amanda and a grand-dog, Jaxsen.
Karen K. Samuelson, MLS (ASCP)CM
I graduated from Alexandria Technical College and
completed my internship at the hospital in Buffalo, MN. My career began in 1983 as
a full-time pm Medical Technician right here at Rice Memorial Hospital. Later, I was
promoted to Assistant Chemistry Supervisor. After my husband and I became empty
nesters, I made the decision to obtain my Bachelor of Science degree on-line
through the University of Cincinnati. It turned out to be one of the best decisions of
my life!
After successfully completing my MLS certification in 2007, I accepted the Lab
Manager position for the Granite Falls Municipal Hospital and Manor. In 2010, I
returned to the Rice campus as the Laboratory Operations Manager. My
experiences at each of these steps in my career have resulted in great learning
opportunities. I have been fortunate to be part of the growth in Rice Laboratory by
the addition of all of you, our Outreach Clients. You are a very important part of our
services. With your help and continued support and commitment, Rice Laboratory
has become a leader in our Region. My plan is to travel to each of your facilities and
greet as many of you as possible to say “Thank You” for your business. We truly
appreciate it! And, I am confident that MPC, our current Rice Laboratory staff, and I
will continue to grow our services to ensure that Rice Laboratory will remain the
301 B301 Becker Ave. SW, Willmar, MN 56201 http://ricelab.testcatalog.org
Luverne
“Vern”
Vosberg
1946-2015
When Rice Laboratory began its
Outreach Program in 1995, Vern was
the Manager at Granite Falls
Municipal Hospital and Manor. Vern
was a familiar presence in the Granite
Falls laboratory as well as a familiar
voice on the telephone for our entire
Rice staff.
“Vern was everyone’s friend. He
never met a stranger. He loved
people and people loved him”
He always met you with a smile and
through the 36 total years at Granite
Falls Hospital, was eager to assist
and know you as “family”. Though
his duties changed over the years, he
met each shift with enthusiasm and
willingness.
We, the Rice staff extend our
deepest sympathy to our colleagues
at Granite Falls Lab and the entire
staff . We will miss our friend!
Rice Laboratory Receives CAP Accreditation
Rice Memorial Hospital Laboratory has been awarded an accreditation by
the Laboratory Accreditation Program of the College of American
Pathologists (CAP), based on the results of a recent on-site inspection.
The laboratory’s director, Karen Samuelson, and medical director, Patricia
M. Hoeft, M.D., were advised of this national recognition and
congratulated for the “excellence of the services being provided.” Rice
Memorial Hospital is one of nearly 7,600 CAP-accredited laboratories
nationwide.
During the CAP accreditation process, inspectors examine the laboratory’s
records and quality control of procedures for the preceding two years.
CAP inspectors also examine the entire staff’s qualifications, the
laboratory’s equipment, facilities, safety program and record, as well as
the overall management of the laboratory. This stringent inspection
program is designed to specifically ensure the highest standard of care for
all laboratory patients.
The College of American Pathologists (CAP), celebrating 50 years as the
gold standard in laboratory accreditation, is a medical society that serves
more than 18,000 physician members and the global laboratory
community.
Freedom is never given, it is won!
-A. Phillip Randolph
“
“The bond that
links your true
family is not one of
blood, but of respect
and joy in each
other’s life.”
—Richard Bach
Rice Laboratory Reachout
Happy July 4th!
Page 2
Summer 2015
Path News—Lyme Disease:
a Summer Health Risk
Summer is approaching, and with that comes myriad
outdoor activities, as well as a variety of health concerns.
One of them is Lyme disease, an infection that crops up
in the late spring and summer months. Minnesota and
Wisconsin are among the states with the highest risk.
Lyme disease is caused by Borrelia burgdorferi, a
spirochete that is transmitted to humans by the Ixodes
scapularis tick (deer tick, black-legged tick). About 4060% of adult female ticks are infected.
The adult Ixodes ticks are quite
small and the nymphs are even
smaller, about the size of a
sesame seed, and both of these
transmit the infection. It is easy
to miss them or not realize you’ve been bitten! They
hang out in the woods, grassy areas, and old leaves.
The most critical factors related to the risk of infection are
the duration of the tick attachment (at least 36 hours) and
engorgement of the tick.
Signs and symptoms of Lyme disease are variable.
There are three clinical phases: early localized, early
disseminated, and late
disseminated. The features can
overlap, however. The early
localized phase (within a month
following tick bite) is characterizd
by the classic “bull’s-eye” skin
rash called erythema migrans (EM). But up to half of
those infected may not get this expanding lesion, and it
may not always have the classic targetoid clearing.
When present, this rash, along with a history of exposure,
is sufficient for diagnosis and treatment without further
testing. Other early symptoms can include fever, chills,
fatigue, headache, and muscle and joint pain. Early
disseminated disease (days to weeks) is characterized
by additional EM lesions and/or neurologic or cardiac
findings such as Bell’s palsy, stiff neck, heart palpitations
and dizziness, and joint pain. The late disseminated
phase (weeks to months) can develop in 60% of
untreated patients and includes arthritis in one or more
large joints such as the knee, Lyme carditis (in 4-10%, 12 months post infection), often with AV block, and
neurologic problems such as memory loss, nerve pain
and tingling, and sleep disturbance. You can also have
Lyme disease and not know it because symptoms vary
and may be misattributed to something else.
Rice Laboratory Reachout
Page 3
Diagnosis of the early stage is
simple if the characteristic EM lesion
is present, and serologic testing is
not recommended as the patient will
likely be seronegative at this time.
Serologic tests are available to
confirm the diagnosis of Lyme
Patricia Hoeft, MD
disease in the disseminated stages
Minnesota Pathologists
if there is exposure history in an
Chartered
endemic area and symptoms
(meningitis, arthritis, radiculopathy, mononeuritis, cranial
nerve palsy, carditis) but the EM lesion is lacking. These
tests are NOT used for screening, however.
Two-tier testing is recommended by the CDC for diagnosis
in patients with a high pre-test probability of infection: a
constellation of symptoms, in an endemic area, with a
history of possible exposure. Serologic testing starts with
an ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) or IFA
(immunofluorescent assay) test. 20-40% of infected
patients test positive at time of presentation, but if negative,
the test should be repeated in 2-4 weeks to give time to
mount a detectable antibody response. If equivocal or
positive, then confirmatory testing is done by Western blot.
These test the patient’s antibodies to the infection, but
another test, PCR (polymerase chain reaction) can directly
test for the organism’s DNA. This is only done on spinal
fluid or joint fluid samples and is helpful but is fraught with
low sensitivity and false positives. Culture is not readily
available and takes several days.
Fortunately, treatment is simple in the early stage. Oral
doxycycline is preferred as it is effective against Lyme
disease as well as other tick-borne infections such as
anaplasmosis. Amoxicillin is an alternative. Late-stage or
chronic Lyme disease is less likely to respond to antibiotics.
Post-treatment Lyme disease syndrome (PTLDS), which is
persistent symptoms (e.g., arthritis) after antibiotic
treatment, is thought to be an autoimmune response and
not due to active infection.
Prevention strategies include avoiding
Early
woods and grassy areas, tick repellent
localized
(DEET), landscape modification
phase; classic
(mowing, cleaning up leaves), and
“bull’s eye”
frequent body checks and removal of
skin rash
ticks within 24 hours. Doxycycline
called
prophylaxis may be helpful when ticks
erythema
are engorged or attached >36 hours, if
migrans
given within 72 hours of tick removal.
“
Summer 2015
Consultants Corner:
Emotional Intelligence
Synopsis of the keynote presentation at
ASCP Leadership Forum, April 15-17, 2015,
Miami, FL: Speaker Michael Thompson,
Ph.D. Adjunct Professor, Northwestern
University, President/CEO Interlude
Empowerment Coaching
In a setting where emotional intelligence is a
practical and practiced skill set, there is a
36% greater chance of success. How many
emotions are there? The audience guessed
anywhere from 10- 50, but in fact there are
four; Glad, Mad, Sad and Scared. They are
all neutral until you decide how and to what
degree to use them.
Definition of emotional intelligence (EI):
 Emotions influence our thoughts and the
decisions we make…
 EI involves a set of skills that define
how effectively we perceive,
understand, reason with and manage our
own and others feelings
 In the workplace, feelings constantly
influence our performance
There are 7 skill sets (competencies) for
emotional intelligence. As we explain each
one, ideas for applying them to your social
and working environment will be discussed.
I Emotional Self-Awareness: The skill of
perceiving and understanding one’s own
emotions. “Personal experiences affect
our professional lives. We have all faced
emotional experiences that shape who
we are and how we act! Knowing how a
family member or close friend handled a
difficult personal situation may have a
strong effect on your own perceptions.”
What we do with our experiences is our
choice. People who have mastered this
skill…
 Are more “in-tune” with their
emotions and how their behavior
may be impacting colleagues
 Demonstrate greater awareness of
how their emotions may be
influencing their own decisions
II Emotional Expression: The skill of
effectively expressing one’s own
emotions. “Being able to appropriately
and effectively express our own feelings
– no matter whether positive or negative
Rice Laboratory Reachout
is really essential to the process of EI.
There is an illusion that we have to be
stoic and never let on how we feel at work,
but within appropriate boundaries – it is
sometimes necessary to express
ourselves.” How are you going to express
your true feelings? We often carry deep
feelings; they can be love or anger, shame
or supreme confidence. “If you do not
deal with your emotions, your emotions
will deal with you”. People who are
skilled…
 Effectively and appropriately
communicate how they feel about
various issues at work; in the right
way, to the right degree and at the
right time
 Create greater understanding about
themselves amongst their colleagues
and consequently are described by
colleagues as “genuine and
trustworthy”
III Emotional Awareness of Others:
The skill of perceiving and understanding
other’s emotions. “Being aware that we
share a common humanity – The key here is
EMPATHY When someone says – you
don’t know, or you don’t understand what
I’m going through – it’s important to share
in an empathetic way the fact that you do
know.” How aware are you about the
Medical team’s emotions? We share the
same emotions, pain, and joys. We see the
reasons behind the emotion not the emotion
itself. We avoid feeling victimized; we
practice empathy and exhibit compassion.
This empowers you and the other person as
well. People who are skilled in “reading”
others are adept at reading others’ nonverbal emotional cues at work and adapt to
them.
IV Emotional Reasoning/Decision Making:
The skill of utilizing emotional
information (from self and others) in
reasoning and decision-making. This is
about the decisions you have to make
concerning your professional life. What
emotions are going to play a role in
teambuilding? Accept and embrace others
with a sincere sense of caring while
making a business decision and use this
understanding to heal ourselves and others.
People/leaders that are skilled in this
Page 4
There are four
emotions–
Glad, Sad,
Mad, & Scared.
All of them are
neutral until we
decide how to
use them!
7 Skill Sets
Summer 2015
Emotional Intelligence (continued from page 4)
area…
 Consult others’ and their own
feelings on issues at work when
decision-making
 Account for the emotional/mood
state of others prior to interacting or
communicating with them
 Achieve greater buy-in to decisions
they implement
 Help people identify more
effective ways of responding to
events that are causing them
adversity
VII Emotional Self-Control: The skill
of effectively controlling strong
emotions (within one’s self). “We
all have multiple facets to our lives
and because we live in an
interconnected world, events
V Emotional Self-Management: The skill
outside of our professional lives will
of regulating and managing one’s own
inevitably impact our professional
emotions. “We often focus on the
negative – but there are those moments
lives. How we manage, process
when you can go into a team meeting
and express ourselves when
influenced by outside forces, is
with a surgeon, oncologist and other
critical to our success. How will
support members and report good news.
you avoid getting hijacked?
It is just as appropriate to feel glad as it is
to feel sad and/or scared. “ How do you
We pay attention to our issues. We
handle yourself (competitiveness,
stop ignoring, avoiding, or denying
expectations?) We focus on our inner
and we rediscover our authentic self
and deepest joys. People who are
response not circumstances and
skilled in this area typically will…
experience that others will rise to our
expectations (and our moods). People
 Overcome anger at work by
high on this dimension at work…
thinking through what’s
causing it
 Maintain an optimistic / positive
disposition at work
 Express anger and other strong
 Move on quickly from events that
emotions in the right way, at
cause them adversity
the right time, and with the
right person
 Implement strategies to help them
maintain positive moods and
Conclusion: A practical approach to
emotions in the workplace
implementing the skill set discussed is to
inventory your challenges and strengths
VI Emotional Management of Others:
as a team member/leader. Explore your
The skill of influencing the moods /
ability to perform as an effective team
emotions of others. “We all understand
member and develop more effective
the hierarchy of medicine and
sometimes it’s pretty hard to “swallow” relationships that transcend culture and
language ranging from your team
when you walk into a conf. room and
the only chair available is along the wall members to those who depend on your
away from the main table. Ooops – we professional skills. Then practice using
chose a room too small for the meeting, Emotional Intelligence skills that will
emphasize your strengths. “You will
sorry about that.” How are you going
notice that there is a pyramid structure
to contribute to the team? We attract
what we emanate and we emanate what here. Starting with the point – You –
we “choose” to emanate. Being able to and moving to the Global world we live
in. You are the beginning of the
manage the group and your own
interactions of the day. And keep in the
feelings will be absolutely critical for
mind the power to reach around the
the best possible decisions for the sake
world!”
of the department or patient. People
with good skills in this area…
 Create environments that make
people feel more optimistic and
Stephanie Sjoberg MLS(ASCP)CM
positive in the workplace.
Technical Consultant
 Motivate and help others see things
from different perspectives
Rice Laboratory Reachout
Page 5
“
You are the beginning
of the interactions of
the day. And keep in
the mind the power to
reach around the
world!”
—Michael
Thompson, PhD
Electronic Only:
Do you wish to
continue receiving
REACHOUT? Please
submit your email
address to:
ssjo@rice.willmar.mn.us
Summer 2015
NMLPW– April 19-25, 2015
As is the custom at Rice Lab, we
celebrated Lab Week in great super hero
style!
Cheryl Engstrom
Dr. Lee Cafferty
Connie
Ericks
on
Carol Somerville
JoAnne Nelson-Larson
r
Tunie Welke
Linda
O
’Shea
Deb Westerberg
WE ARE ALL
HEROES!
lso
Karen Samue
Bob Pierskalla
n
Eric
Wan
ner
Melissa Ber
geson
nson
t Joh
Jane
Rice Laboratory Reachout
Page 6
Summer 2015
New Faces Around the Rice Laboratory TEST CHANGES
Lab…
Please Refer to Rice Lab/Mayo electronic test catalog for ordering specifics.
Haley Stouffer–
Laboratory
Technician
Haley recently graduated
from Alexandria Technical
College in the Medical
Laboratory Technician
Program, Class of 2015! She
has spent the last 6 months at Rice
completing her clinical experience and
has joined the Rice staff.
Jasmine (Krueger) Lingle–
Histotechnician
http://ricelab.testcatalog.org/catalogs/114/edit
Changes are in bold print below.
OSOM Mono Test (reagent change): Acceptable specimen: Serum, EDTA
plasma, heparin plasma, EDTA whole blood or heparin whole blood. Stability:
Serum or plasma refrigerated < 48 hours, frozen if longer. Whole blood < 24
hours, refrigerate. CPT: 86308 (unchanged)
Bordetella pertussis PCR to MDH (Detects B. pertussis, B. holmesii, B.
bronchiseptica) : Effective June 8, requests for Bordetella pertussis will be referred
to MDH. Specimen requirement : naso pharyngeal swab or aspirate inoculated to
Regan-Lowe transport medium, CPT 87798 x2
A completed “Enhanced Pertussis” MDH Request Form must accompany the
specimen.
Jasmine completed her AA
degree from Ridgewater in
May and is currently
attending UND to obtain her
histotechniology certification.
She and her husband Curtis are
newlyweds having married on April 18.
Mayo Test Code Changes, Effective Date:
June 23- Tetanus Toxoid IgG Antibody Assay, Serum (TTIGS)
June 23- Diphtheria Toxoid IgG Antibody Assay, Serum (DIPGS)
June 26 - Amikacin, Peak, Serum (PAMIK)
June 26- HIV-1 RNA Quantification, Plasma (HIVDQ)
August 2- BCR/ABL, Translocation 9;22, FISH (D-FISH) (922F)
August 2- Cystic Fibrosis Mutation Analysis (CFP)
Melissa WallaceAugust 2- Chromosomal Microarray, Congenital, Blood (CMACB)
August 2- Chromosome Analysis, Amniotic Fluid (CHRAF)
Autopsy Aide
Melissa began her duties as August 2- Chromosome Analysis, for Congenital Disorders, Blood
(CHRCB)
autopsy aide June 1. She
August 2 - Chromosome Analysis, Hematologic Disorders, Bone Marrow
graduated from the UMN
(CHRBM)
with a degree in Mortuary
August 2- Chromosome Analysis, Autopsy, Products of Conception, or Stillbirth
Science in 2009 and is employed at
Harvey-Anderson Funeral Home. She
(CHRPC)
and her husband moved from Anoka to August 2-Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL), FISH (CLLF)
Willmar in October of 2012. Melissa has August 2- Fragile X Syndrome, Molecular Analysis (FXS)
two daughters, ages 5 and 3. We enjoy August 2 - Hemochromatosis HFE Gene Analysis, B (HFE)
spending time outside, reading, and
August 2- Plasma Cell Proliferative Disorder (PCPD), FISH (PCPDF)
spending time with family and friends.
August 2- UroVysion for Detection of Bladder Cancer (FUROC)
Allan Roberg– Courier/Lab
Aide
Linda
Erickson, HT
(ASCP) Retires
Allan has been employed at
Rice since August 1981.
He is currently orientating in
the lab for his “new” duties
and also serves as a
surgical nursing service technician.
In January, after 42 years
as an employee of Rice
Laboratory, Linda retired.
Linda began her
employment as a
Kaity has just completed her
laboratory
aide.
After
completing
her education at
clinical experience at Rice
Willmar
Community
College
(now
Ridgewater
Lab and graduated from
Technical
College)
and
the
St.
Cloud
Hospital
Alex Tech with a degree in Medical
Histotechnology
School,
she
joined
the
histology lab. She served as Histology
Laboratory Technology. She has begun
Technical Supervisor (lead specialist) from 1979– 2009.
her employment as of June 29.
Kaitlynd VanHorsenLaboratory
Technician
BEST WISHES, LINDA!
WELCOME NEW EMPLOYEES!
Rice Laboratory REACHOUT
Page 7
Summer 2015
Jason Mayer– Director of Laboratory and Materials Management Resigns
“ I have
accepted a position
with Park Nicollet as their
Director of Laboratory
Services. With this position I
will be overseeing the
Laboratory operation for the
Park Nicollet system and will
be based at Methodist
hospital. This position is part
of the HealthPartners/Park
Nicollet care team and I will be
working in collaboration with a
counterpart at Regions Hospital
for the HealthPartners system
needs as well.
No it
Farewell Gathering May 1, 2015
is not
a pra
yer—
Week
it’s La
festiv
b
ities!
This has been a very difficult
decision for me as Rice has
been a wonderful employer and
I have thoroughly enjoyed my
time here. The support I have
received from Rice, MPC, and
the laboratory team over the
years has helped me grow into
a better co-worker, Director
and person. “
“
We have worked beside him,
answered to his demands as
an outreach manager and worked
“under” him! We have seen many
changes as a result of his leadership
and business sense ! To many of us he
has been a co-worker, to some of us
only a boss and to many of us, a
friend. We wish you well in your new
position!
— Rice Lab
“
Thank you
for a great 16
years at Rice
and the
opportunity to
work with such a
great team!
—Jason
Rice Laboratory Reachout
Page 8
Summer 2015
Rice Laboratory REACHOUT
Stephanie Sjoberg MLS(ASCP)CM, Editor
Summer 2015
Rice Laboratory
301 Becker Ave. SW
Willmar, MN 56201
Phone: 320-231-4500
800-922-RICE
Fax:
320-231-4861
Electronic Only:
Do you wish to continue receiving REACHOUT?
Please submit your email address to:
ssjo@rice.willmar.mn.us
301 Becker Ave. SW, Willmar, MN 56201 http://ricelab.testcatalog.org
NCBS News-Recipient Spotlight
When you first meet Kate Ross you are
instantly moved by her infectious smile and
constant laughter. Her friends describe her
as fun, inspiring, outgoing, incredible, full of
energy, strong and a positive presence. She
describes herself on her blog biography as a
“student, animal lover, daughter and sister,
spiritual, music-obsessed fitness enthusiast,
artistic, friendly, optimistic and a volunteer.”
You would never sense from her upbeat
demeanor or the words used to describe her
that nearly five years ago her life changed in
an instant, and she now proudly wears a
fashionable crystal-studded, paisley
prosthetic leg. Nowhere in the description of
Kate could you tell that she was faced with a
tragedy that could have easily left her feeling
sorry for herself.
In fact, her story is quite the opposite.
"In December 2009, I was weary from the
exhaustion of being a full-time student and
working full time. I took my finals at school
and on my way home that evening I fell
asleep while driving," said Ross.
When she dozed off, she was traveling 60
mph and hit a guardrail, which penetrated her
car and went through her right calf and thigh.
Ross was taken by ambulance to the
hospital, and after several surgeries, doctors
put her in a medically induced coma.
Seven days later, on Christmas
Day, doctors made the grave
decision to amputate her leg
above the knee.
Ross underwent more nearly two
years of occupational and
physical therapy before her life
returned to a “new normal.” Through 19
surgeries, she needed more than 25
pints of lifesaving blood products.
“I was very thankful for the blood being
available when I needed it, but I never
thought about being a blood donor
myself because I’m terrified of needles.”
But when her best friend and co-worker
asked her to participate in a blood drive,
she realized that despite her fear, she
should give blood, too.
"She reminded me it was donated blood
that helped save my life after my
accident. It was like a big, needed slap in
the face that reminded me that I wouldn’t
be here to tell my story if it hadn’t been
for the generosity of blood donors."
With a newfound gratitude and
outlook on life, Ross became a blood
donor last year and strives to “be the
good you wish to see in the world.”
Once a blood recipient, now she is
paying it forward.
Kate Ross
"I knew that
something was
drastically wrong
with my leg,
although I’m lucky
that I didn't realize
there was a
guardrail basically
through my entire
body at that point."
“I am very excited to say that I have
become a blood donor myself because I
know how important it is to give
something that means something – the
gift of life. You never know when you or
a loved one will be the one that needs
blood.”
Ross is thankful for the heroes who
helped save her life and has become an
advocate for the Red Cross and a true
hero herself. She recently received the
2014 Give Life Heroes Award from her
local Red Cross that honors those who
have made the simple, yet powerful
decision to put their personal needs
aside in order to help others.
Ross underwent another surgery last
fall on her leg. She was fit for a new
prosthetic that improves her mobility and
allows her to run. She is currently
training for the 2015 Red Cross Run for
Blood quarter marathon and 5K race in
Minneapolis, Minnesota, this July.