Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine
Resident's Manual
Using PowerPath: Doing Common Tasks
What’s In this Section?

Descriptions of Common Tasks
 Log-on to PowerPath
 Select & Open Cases
 Identify the Patient
 Order Lab Procedures
 Print Patient Reports (Results)
 Review a Patient’s History (Previous Cases)

Finding your way around PowerPath
Using PowerPath
We intentionally left this page blank for those of you are printing double-sided.
Doing Common Tasks in PowerPath
Revised 03/15/02
Page 1
Using PowerPath
Table of Contents
Log on to PowerPath Client .............................................................................................................. 3
Changing Your Password ............................................................................................................. 4
To Open Cases through the Case Explorer ..................................................................................... 8
Open ............................................................................................................................................. 8
Case Status ................................................................................................................................. 8
View Summary Report............................................................................................................... 8
Print .............................................................................................................................................. 8
Modifying Patient Information ......................................................................................................... 9
Order Laboratory Procedures ............................................................................................................ 11
Entering the New Order .................................................................................................................. 11
To Convert an Unstained Slide to a Special Stain .......................................................................... 13
Other Ways to Order Additional Procedures .................................................................................. 14
Edit Case ..................................................................................................................................... 14
Using the Duplicate Material Function to Copy an Order ........................................................ 14
Print Patient Reports (Results) .......................................................................................................... 16
For a Single Printing of a Case ....................................................................................................... 18
From the Print Icon on the PowerPath Toolbar .......................................................................... 18
or use the key board short cut of ctrl-P ....................................................................................... 18
Print screen--this screen will appear ............................................................................................... 19
Print options .................................................................................................................................... 19
Review the Patient’s History (Previous Cases) ................................................................................. 20
The Origin of Cases Shown on the History Tab ............................................................................. 20
Reviewing Case Histories ............................................................................................................... 20
Printing History Cases..................................................................................................................... 20
Doing Common Tasks in PowerPath
Revised 03/15/02
Page 2
Using PowerPath
Log on to PowerPath Client
Begin by double clicking the PowerPath Client Icon on our desktop.
You should now see a login screen similar to the one shown below.
Server: This is the list of servers that the computer can use.
a) The first time you log on, you may need to type in the server name =pathapp
b) After the first login, the server will be pathapp.
c) The most recently used PowerPath2000 server should be the default.
User name - This your user name. Usually your first initial and last name.
Password: This will be your specific password (after your initial login)
DatabaseClick on the down arrow and pick (PowerPath)
Doing Common Tasks in PowerPath
Revised 03/15/02
Page 3
Using PowerPath
Changing Your Password
If you forget your password, your System Administrator can reset it for you; if your password expires, this screen appears and you can enter a new password yourself (and then confirm it by retyping
it in the last box on the screen):
Doing Common Tasks in PowerPath
Revised 03/15/02
Page 4
Using PowerPath
Search for & Open a Case
If you know the case’s accession number, double-click this Cases icon to open it If you are working in the Case Information screen and do not want to save or exit what you’re doing, simply select
the Cases icon on your desktop, right–click, and select Open New.
Now you have two open sessions of the Case Information screen. To move between them, select
the one you want from the Windows taskbar.
A blank Case Information screen appears; if the case exists and you know its Accession Number,
key it in and press the tab key; a dialog box appears asking if you want to open the case. Press Y (or
click Yes). If you are accessioning a new case, see the chapter called Accessioning a Case for instructions. If you do not know the accession number, you can use the Case Finder (click the binoculars icon) to find the case.
Use the steps above to get to a blank Case Information screen; then either press Ctrl F or click the
binoculars icon (the Case Finder tool) on the PowerPath toolbar at the very top of your screen.
Case finder has two modes patient search and case search. If you enter any patient search criteria
(i.e. name) then it will find all cases on any patient that have at least one case fitting the case requirements listed. If no patient criteria is entered then it will use the case search mode and find all
cases that fit the criteria.
Using PowerPath’s Search Criteria
Please see separate case finder document for version 9.1
Doing Common Tasks in PowerPath
Revised 03/15/02
Page 5
Using PowerPath
Saving and Loading Criteria Sets
You can use the Criteria Sets feature to save a combination of search parameters for repeated use;
these criteria sets are unique to each user. For example, if you needed a weekly search for all Gyn
cases from Dr. Smith with LGSIL, you would name and save that specific search criteria as a set and
simply load it the next time you want to run the search. You can create a new Search Criteria Set
by clicking the New Page icon on Case Finder.
The New Criteria Set dialogue box appears with a unique default name in the Criteria Set field.
You may save the new search criteria under any alphanumeric name you want (by typing over the
default), but the name must be unique in your list of criteria setsyou cannot use the same name
twice.
To clear the form of previous criteria, click the Clear Form button at the bottom of the screen.
When you have entered the search parameters you want to use for this criteria set (or to save the current criteria set), press the Save icon on Case Finder.
To load a criteria set, simply select the name from the Criteria Set drop-down list. Press the X (red
X) on Case Finder to delete the current Criteria Set.
Working with the Cases Found in your Search: Case Finder Options
PowerPath searches the database using a combination of all criteria entered via the Search Criteria
and Advanced Criteria Tabs and, when the search is complete, shows you on the Results by
Case Tab the list of cases found. This Tab displays information so you can ‘preview’ the selected
case and includes options for those cases found in your search. When your search is complete and
PowerPath has located the cases you want, right-click and choose from these options:
Open (or press the Select Button)
Either highlight the case(s) of interest and click Select, double-click, or use this Open menu
optioneach opens the chosen case(s) in the Case Information screen. (Only highlighted
cases found during the search are available.)
Add to Reference Cases
This option lets diagnosticians enter the name of a sub-folder and have PowerPath add it to
his or her Reference Cases folder. To add cases to a reference folder, first highlight the
cases of interest, then right-click and choose Add to Reference Cases from the menu. To
Doing Common Tasks in PowerPath
Revised 03/15/02
Page 6
Using PowerPath
see the cases appear in your Reference Cases folder, open the folder on your desktop and
press F5 to refresh the folder (to update the folder with the selected cases).
Print
This option lets you print patient reports (results) of the selected cases From the window
that opens select your PowerPath printer and click on OK. The attached reports allows you
to print the patient's entire history to go with your selected cases if desired.
If you’ve checked the Show Results radio button at the bottom, the Results pane shows you results
for the case you selected (just as on the Results Tab of the Case Information screen).
Doing Common Tasks in PowerPath
Revised 03/15/02
Page 7
Using PowerPath
To Open Cases through the Case Explorer
Double-click to open the Case Explorer icon on the desktop; find the case by selecting the folder
(Unassigned Cases or Users), then double-click on the case or press Enter to open it in the Case
Information screen. Right-click to see other functions available through the Case Explorer.
Open
Either double-click, or use this Open menu option: each opens all case(s) in the folder in the
Case Information screen. To move between cases: press F5 to move back to the previous
case and F6 to move forward to the next case. To see the list of cases, press F4.
Case Status
This option opens the Case Status screen for the selected case and you can use all functions available via that screen.
View Summary Report
This option creates a Case List Summary report of the selected cases; you can preview the
report, print it, or export it to the comma-delimited file you specify.
Print
This option lets you print patient reports (results) of the selected cases; This option lets you
print patient reports (results) of the selected cases. From the window that opens select your
PowerPath printer and click on OK. The attached reports allows you to attach the management report "Patient history by case id "that will print the patient's entire history to go with
your selected cases if desired.
Doing Common Tasks in PowerPath
Revised 03/15/02
Page 8
Using PowerPath
Modifying Patient Information
Do not modify patient information Modifying affects all cases on the patient not just the one you are
currently viewing. If you find an error in patient information please contact either Michelle Failner
or Pam Murillo to correct the information. This is how to view the information.
This is the header of the Case Information screen; it identifies the patient whose case you are viewing. If you want to view patient demographics data, click on the Patient Tab. To enter or modify patient information click the ellipsis button (the three dots) to the right of the Patient name field.
This Patient Information screen appears so you can enter or modify existing patient demographics
or insurance information. If you try to change the patient’s name, a dialogue box appears, asking if
you want to save the previous name (maiden name, previous legal name, alias). If you say Yes, PowerPath stores the previous name in the patient’s Names Tab.
Doing Common Tasks in PowerPath
Revised 03/15/02
Page 9
Using PowerPath
Most of these Tabs and fields are self-explanatory; only a few need mentioning:
Field
Definition
Age
If the patient’s birth date is entered on this screen, PowerPath calculates and
displays the age.
Medical Record Number
All Medical Record Numbers (MRNs) entered for this patient appear here;
if multiple MRNs exist, you will see a screen displaying them so you
can select the correct one for this case. When you enter a new Medical
Record Number for the patient, you must associate a facility with it.
Tab
Content
Names
This tab holds other names (aliases) for this patient.
History
This tab holds the history information for the patient
Doing Common Tasks in PowerPath
Revised 03/15/02
Page 10
Using PowerPath
Order Laboratory Procedures
To order lab procedures (or additional laboratory procedures) during the course of your work on a
case, you can access the New Order screen from anywhere in the Case Information screen by
pressing Ctrl O or by selecting the New Order icon in the PowerPath toolbar at the top of your
screen:
Entering the New Order
After you press Ctrl O or click the New Order icon, the New Orders screen appears.
If you know the full or partial code or description for the lab procedure, key it in the Code or Descrtiption field, a list of those lab procedures matching your entry appears for your selection. All
Imunostains description start with IM
If you don’t know the code, leave the field blank and click on the ellipsis button (the button with the
three dots) to the right of the Code or Description field); the Find Order Profile search appears and
you can enter key words (we recommend you check the radio button for the Containing at least
one of the values method).
Alternatively, leave all the search fields blank and press Find Now; you can then scroll through the
entire list of laboratory orders and select from those displayed in the Description pane. To list all
laboratory orders, put an asterisk * in the Code or Description field and press Find.
Doing Common Tasks in PowerPath
Revised 03/15/02
Page 11
Using PowerPath
When the list appears, highlight the lab order you want and click Select to select it. You can specify
the source materials (individual or for a range of specimens) to which the order applies by clicking in
the drop-down list or pressing Alt 
To place an order on multiple sources, check the box next to each individual source material or type
in the identifying specimen, block, or slide ID using colons to indicate a range and commas to separate those that are out of order. For example, to place an order on blocks A1 through C1 and block
E1, type
A1:C1, E1.
PowerPath automatically fills in the specimen source if you click on the Specimen Source line in
the Specimens Tab before you press Ctrl O or click the New Order icon.
Next, enter the quantity, then indicate if you want the order rushed and if there is any special methodology. To enter another order, simply press the  and move to the Code field and repeat the process described above.
Details for the order show in the lower pane; you can see them by pressing F12. Press F12 again to
move your cursor to the first order detail line. This Order Details pane displays the detail orders for
lab profiles, and gives you a place to enter instructions to the laboratory, billing status information,
and associated data. You can enter or change any of it.
When you are finished, press Enter to place the order(s).
After you return to the Case Information screen, press F10 to actually save the orders. This is very
important. The order does not go to the laboratory worklists until you press F10. Neglecting to immediately save your orders may cause them to miss the ordering deadlines.
A cassette labeler is interfaced to PowerPath at Westwood.the initial number of cassettes for each
specimen panel. Have bee already defined. Pieces of tissue submitted for microscopic examination
are placed in the cassette, so the cassette needs to be available for the PA or pathologist during macroscopic (gross) examination.
If additional cassettes are needed, order them in PowerPath during the macroscopic examination.
The cassettes are created after saving the new order with an F10. Discard any unused cassettes, then
go into PowerPath to modify the original order by deleting the unused blocks. Depending on your
workstation set up the additional cassettes will either print immediately or you can reprint them.
Discard any unused cassettes, then go into PowerPath to modify the original order by deleting the
unused blocks
Doing Common Tasks in PowerPath
Revised 03/15/02
Page 12
Using PowerPath
To Convert an Unstained Slide to a Special Stain
You will often receive unstained slides along with your initial H+E slides; or along with outside
slides for review. Unstained slides, like specimens and tissue blocks, display as Source Materials in
the New Orders screen. If you have unstaineds; please order the new stains on the unstained slides
and give them to the appropriate lab. If you order on the block you are indicated that the block needs
to be recut for the new stain.
Negative controls for IMMUNOSTAINS
Each block that has immunostains ordered needs a negative control. Each resident has a personalized
negative control package. The code for this package is their initials. If you donot find your package
use NEG for negative control and contact the PowerPath system administrator to create the personalized negative control for you.
Doing Common Tasks in PowerPath
Revised 03/15/02
Page 13
Using PowerPath
Other Ways to Order Additional Procedures
You can also use features available from the Laboratory Worklist Explorer to order additional procedures on a case (see Processing a Specimen Order for more information on using the Worklist
Explorer). Here’s how:
Edit Case
Use this Edit Case option when you need to order additional procedures on the case. When you select Edit Case from the window, PowerPath takes you to the Case Information screen for the order
you selected. You can then enter new orders or duplicate existing ones from the Materials Tree
view.
Using the Duplicate Material Function to Copy an Order
If you go to the Specimen Tab and select the Material Tree view by clicking that radio button in
the Tab’s heading, you will see a graphic representation of the materials in this case.
You’ll often use the Duplicate Material function when a specimen in one tissue cassette is split into
another cassetteand thus you need to duplicate the original order. (You also can use this function
when you’re accessioning cases that commonly have more cassettes than the standard. After the case
is grossed, the accessioner can go back into PowerPath and duplicate a block order to add 5 more, for
example, which would be faster than actually typing the order code, quantity, etc.)
This PowerPath function lets you do it easily and gives the new order the next block ID number in
the series. If during embedding, the tissue in a cassette is separated into two cases, we recommend
that you use the Notes Tab to record the new Block ID and the original cassette.
Here’s how to use the Duplicate Material function.
1.
On the Material Tree view of your case, highlight the desired procedure by left-clicking on it
and pressing Ctrl U. The Duplicate screen appears.
Or
Right-click to open this options window:
Doing Common Tasks in PowerPath
Revised 03/15/02
Page 14
Using PowerPath
2.
Duplicate Material is the second option on the list. Choose it. The Duplicate Materials
window appears:
3.
If you want more than one copy of the material, use the  arrow key to get the number of duplications you want. Note that unless you uncheck it, PowerPath will also copy all orders and
sub-materials with this order. (You usually would leave this checked when duplicating orders.)
4.
Click OK on this screen and continue to click OK until you return to the Laboratory Worklist Explorer, which will show the new orders.
Doing Common Tasks in PowerPath
Revised 03/15/02
Page 15
Using PowerPath
Use the report view icons in the Report Grid to change the on-line view of the report.
Normal View
Actual Size
Page View
Page Width
Whole Page (Used with Page Width)
The next page shows you an example of the final report for this case.
Doing Common Tasks in PowerPath
Revised 03/15/02
Page 16
Using PowerPath
Print Patient Reports (Results)
Doing Common Tasks in PowerPath
Revised 03/15/02
Page 17
Using PowerPath
For a Single Printing of a Case
After you load the case into the Case Information screen, you can choose to print its patient report
If the case is not yet final, the report prints with a watermark indicating that is a draft report.
From the Print Icon on the PowerPath Toolbar
Simply click the  next to the Print/Fax icon on the toolbar to open this print selection box; select
Print Report.
or use the key board short cut of ctrl-P
Doing Common Tasks in PowerPath
Revised 03/15/02
Page 18
Using PowerPath
Print screen--this screen will appear
Print options
After the screen appears type l or select local from the service list and enter or click on ok. The report will print on the local printer defined for your workstation.
Or select a defined printer such as Cutting room from the printer list.
Doing Common Tasks in PowerPath
Revised 03/15/02
Page 19
Using PowerPath
Review the Patient’s History (Previous Cases)
If you see a blue square on the History Tab (in the Case Information screen), then previous cases
are available for your selected patient.
The Origin of Cases Shown on the History Tab
The History Tab contains cases:

imported from a legacy system,

entered manually after you went live with PowerPath, and

accessioned in PowerPath.
The Concurrent Tab lets you see recently-accessioned cases for this patient.
Reviewing Case Histories
Cases for which PowerPath has records appear in the top pane of the History Tab screen (with the
total number of cases in the top line). Abnormal cytology results entered using the dictionary resulting method appear in red (during implementation your facility establishes the degree of abnormal
severity required to appear in red).
To view the results of a case in the History Tab, highlight it. You will see its results in the Case
Results pane at the lower half of the screen.
Use the  scroll bar to select another case and view its results.
To view details of a PowerPath history case and/or to order additional procedures on any history
case, double-click on the case and PowerPath will open it.
Printing History Cases
You can print history cases in the same manner as regular cases.
Doing Common Tasks in PowerPath
Revised 03/15/02
Page 20
Using PowerPath
Finding Your Way Around PowerPath
This chart helps you locate functions you want to perform in PowerPath:
Function
Form(Icons) to Use
Activation Method
Open an additional copy of a screen (Case Information)
Click on the form on the
Desktop to open it.
Right-click on the form and
select Open New from
the menu
Record Case Level notes
Cases\Notes Tab
Ctrl I (insert)
or
Ctrl A (append)
Change case priority
Case Information\General Tab
Alt  in the Case Priority
field
Change patient demographics for a previouslyaccessioned case
Case Information not to
be done by resident's contact Pam
M or Michelle F.
Alt T, then P
or
Alt N, then Alt 
Edit results from PowerPath
Case Information\Results Tab
Alt R
Find cases
Case Information
Ctrl F
Find results from previous evaluations on a case
Case Information\Results
Tab\Results Log
button
Alt L
Flag cases for future use
Case Information\Results
Tab\Case Flags
button
Alt F
Material Tracking
Case Information
Alt T, then T, then select the
desired type of tracking
or
Tracking Event icon
Print Patient History
Case Information
Printer icon down arrrow and,
select Print Patient History
Print Patient Report – single copy
Case Information
Ctrl P
Printer icon
Print Slide Label
Case Information
Laboratory Worklist Explorer
Print Specimen Label
Doing Common Tasks in PowerPath
Revised 03/15/02
Case Information
Printer icon down arrrow and
select Print Slide Labels
Printer icon down arrrow and
select Print Specimen
Label
Page 21
Using PowerPath
Doing Common Tasks in PowerPath
Revised 03/15/02
Page 22