Paula, since it is variable we strive to not have unstained slides. We had kept them indefinitely, then when storage was overwhelming us we reduced it to 2 months maximum. Now we require request for unstained to be ordered in the system and delivered to the pathologist. We do not hold any in the lab. We recut when new stains are ordered. In the past we had routinely cut extras "just in case" but ended up with thousands of unstained slides that were never used. Instead we trained everyone to reduce wastage and get good sections from a cut block with minimal facing. We have not stored unstained sections for many years and they do not seem to be missed.
Tim Morken Pathology Site Manager, Parnassus Supervisor, Electron Microscopy/Neuromuscular Special Studies Department of Pathology UC San Francisco Medical Center -----Original Message----- From: P Sicurello via Histonet [mailto:histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu] Sent: Thursday, August 16, 2018 4:49 PM To: HistoNet Subject: [Histonet] Unstained slides - how long are they good for? Hello My Fellow Histologists, Happy Friday Eve. The question has come up...... How long are *unstained* slides good for? Not for H&E but tests like IHC and molecular testing. These slides have been cut, stored at room temperature, not sealed in anyway, and kept in a cardboard box. Please let me know what your opinions are and what your retention policy is concerning *unstained* slides. Thanks oodles. Sincerely, Paula Sicurello, HTL (ASCP)CM Histotechnology Specialist UC San Diego Health 200 Arbor Drive San Diego, CA 92103 (P): 619-543-2872 *Confidentiality Notice*: The information transmitted in this e-mail is intended only for the person or entity to which it is addressed and may contain confidential and/or privileged material. Any review, retransmission, dissemination or other use of or taking of any action in reliance upon this information by persons or entities other than the intended recipient is prohibited. If you received this e-mail in error, please contact the sender and delete the material from any computer. _______________________________________________ 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