Thanks Laurie, and Histoland, My client does what Laurie suggests. Perhaps, I need to clarify: Please read information below: This is regarding RAW chemicals such as: Iodine crystals, Sodium Thiosulfate, Mercuric Chloride, and Copper, etc, and dry Dye Stains, that do not have expiration dates. I don't have a written policy for evaluation of these chemicals and dyes that do not have an expiration date. How do I know they can use these chemicals and dyes to make up the final end solutions. My client currently visualy inspects these chemicals and dyes to see if they appear to be OK, they put another year to review "visually". How can an untrained, non-chemist, judge by visual inspecition if the chemical is OK??? I need a written policy to adhere to CAP guidelines. Akemi Allison BS, HT(ASCP)HTL Director Phoenix Lab Consulting E-Mail: akemiat3...@yahoo.com
________________________________ From: Laurie Colbert <laurie.colb...@huntingtonhospital.com> To: Akemi Allison <akemiat3...@yahoo.com> Sent: Wed, January 12, 2011 3:17:20 PM Subject: RE: [Histonet] CAP #ANP.21382 Reagent Expiration Date. Hi Akemi, Our procedure for evaluating stains/reagents is to run control tissue. If the control works, the stain/reagent is good. And that is done much more often than annually - it is done every time the stain is performed. Laurie -----Original Message----- From: histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu [mailto:histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of Akemi Allison Sent: Wednesday, January 12, 2011 2:07 PM To: histonet Subject: [Histonet] CAP #ANP.21382 Reagent Expiration Date. Hi Everyone in Histoland! Happy Hump day! I have 2 questions to ask you. The CAP "#ANP.21382 Reagent Expiration Date", Evidence of compliance requires a written policy for evaluating reagents lacking manufacturer's expiration date. I worked in the Biotech arena for several years in R&D and manufacturing. We had procedures which were in compliance to GLP and manufacturing standards. These policies were much more rigid than for AP departments, who adher to CAP requirements. Would any of you kind people like to share a copy of your written policy with me. I would be forever grateful! Second question: How do you address powder dyes, and chemicals in crystalin and powder form, which are extremely old and do not have an expiration date? What is your criteria for passing of failing these chemicals and dyes? Do you visually inspect these chemicals and dyes on an annual basis, and if they look fine, give it another year for a visual check with next years date, or do you send them out to a company for analysis to see if they past required specifications??? That would be pretty costly! If anyone has a written procedure for this I would love to see it too! Thank you in advance for your assistance. Akemi Akemi Allison BS, HT(ASCP)HTL E-Mail: akemiat3...@yahoo.com _______________________________________________ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet _______________________________________________ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet