This two-module course is geared to pathologists and laboratory professionals who do not specialize in informatics.   It provides these learners with an extensive grounding in the fundamentals of informatics systems increasingly used in healthcare, with particular attention to their use in pathology and laboratory medicine. The course covers databases, file types, dictionaries, networking, functionality, interfaces, and the advantages and disadvantages of the informatics systems available. It provides information on laws and regulations governing to health information technology and on managing practice change owing to emerging technologies. The course further provides the learner with the tools necessary to keep abreast of technical and regulatory developments in pathology informatics going forward. 

Faculty/Authors
UPI Committee

CME/CMLE Credit: 1.5 
Estimated Completion Time: 1.5 hour
Format: Online Educational Activity and Post Exam

Physician Competencies: Medical knowledge

Eligibility for CME/CMLE Credit: Max three attempts. You will have a maximum of three attempts to meet the following criteria:

• Module ≥80% = CME/CMLE credit
• Module <80% = No CME/CMLE credit, after a maximum of three attempts

Accreditation Statement: The American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education (CME) for physicians. This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the Essential Areas and Policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME).

Credit Designation Statement: The American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) designates this journal-based CME activity for a maximum of 1.5 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Instructions

To claim CME/CMLE credit for the exercise, do the following:

1. Review the Technical Considerations.
2. Click Go to Course to view an overview of the modules in this course.
3. Click Access to begin the course.
4. Review the Educational Activity.
5. Complete and submit the Post Exam. You will have a maximum of three attempts to obtain the required score. You will be notified if you have met the credit requirements after each attempt.
6. Submit the course Evaluation.
7. Enter the maximum number of credits offered and click Claim CME to register credit.

Technical Considerations

Release Date: 12/1/2015 
Review Date:
Expiration Date: 8/15/2025 

• Explain the basic functioning and lifecycle of the LIS, including how the LIS communicates with the EMR and other hospital information systems 
• Describe how imaging in pathology has evolved over the past generation and how digital images will be most effectively used in future pathology practice
• Explain why evaluating the current workflow in pathology is the first step to effective implementation of modern high-technology tools
• Describe the differences between the LIS and EHR
• Discuss the role of dictionaries and worklists in the LIS
• Examine arguments for and against enterprise-wide solutions
• Explore interfaces and interoperability between the LIS, instrumentation, and other hospital systems
• Outline common data standards relevant to the LIS and the US health care system