Re: [Histonet] Cross Contamination CAP policy

[Terri Braud via Histonet]

Hi Roy!  The "Germinator 500"  Sounds like something from Phineas and Ferb.  
Hahaha.
Anyway - The mandate from CAP is designed to clean the instruments, not 
sterilize them.  If the instruments aren't cleaned before stuffing them into a 
250'C trough of glass beads (the Germinator),  you will just have burnt on 
fragments of other tissue stuck on forceps.  The thought of what molten 
paraffin at the embedding unit would do to those glass beads is downright 
scary.  I would certainly check with the manufacturer of both the unit, and the 
paraffin before attempting. Also, the Germinator manual states that instruments 
be allowed to cool for 30 seconds before reuse.  Can you imagine how that might 
slow everything down. It just doesn't sound appropriate for what CAP is trying 
to accomplish.
Our policy calls for wiping of forceps with gauze between cases at gross and at 
embedding. At gross, we use a disposable absorbant lined pad on the cutting 
board for each larger case, and just a fresh c-fold paper towel between small 
biopsy cases.  We do not allow double-dipping of swabs into ink, but instead, 
pour out small amounts into a large plastic weigh boat which is also discarded 
after the case. We use disposable safety scapels, with a 70 blade (love 'em) 
for each case. For excessively bloody/fatty cases, we put the dirty forceps 
into an enzyme pre-soak (Aseptizyme) to remove all tissue debris.  Then they 
are scrubbed with a brush,  then rinsed in a disinfectant before being re-used.
I sure hope this helps

Terri L. Braud, HT(ASCP)
Anatomic Pathology Supervisor
Laboratory
Holy Redeemer Hospital
1648 Huntingdon Pike
Meadowbrook, PA 19046
ph: 215-938-3689
fax: 215-938-3874
Care, Comfort, and Heal
 

  3. New Cap cross contamination at gross bench (Roy, Ryan)
Date: Fri, 12 Jan 2018 15:39:05 +
From: "Roy, Ryan" 
Subject: New Cap cross contamination at gross bench

Anyone out there see the new CAP requirement regarding cross contamination at 
gross bench and cleaning of forceps.
How are other people planning to comply. My supervisor has instructed me to use 
a Germinatior 500 at gross bench and at Embedd center.
I have no experience using these sterilizers but my initial thought is that I 
will need to be really careful not to inadvertently apply too much heat to the 
tissue.
Any thoughts appreciated,

Ryan Roy HTL (ASCP)
Manchester VA Medical Center




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Re: [Histonet] Histology Hacks - the book

[Blazek, Linda via Histonet]

I agree with Terri!  We have a newly registered tech and several of us "oldies" 
and it started a great dialog on tips we have run across in the years.  The 
book has some things we had forgotten too!  We all have been enjoying reading 
and adding little comments.  Since we are a GI lab it was great to have some of 
the other hints that our new tech hasn't had much exposure to.  
Good job Michael!

Linda

Linda Blazek HT (ASCP)
Pathology Lab Manager
GI Pathology of Dayton
Digestive Specialists, Inc
Phone: (937) 396-2623
Email: lbla...@digestivespecialists.com

-Original Message-
From: Terri Braud via Histonet [mailto:histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu] 
Sent: Friday, January 12, 2018 11:06 AM
To: 'histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu'
Subject: [Histonet] Histology Hacks - the book

I just wanted to share a quick review of the new book "Histology Hacks", by 
Michael Backhus.  It is the kind of book that brings together all of the little 
tidbits that a tech picks up along a lifetime of working and networking with 
others.  It is well organized and the information is presented with the pros 
and cons of each hint.  The big bonus was that by flipping through the book in 
my department, it started a conversation on techniques and experiences with 
similar tips.  Anything that gets your Histology team excitedly talking about 
their profession is well worth the relatively small investment.  It would make 
a great staff present for Lab Week.  I don't know Michael, but kudos!  Check it 
out on Amazon.

Terri L. Braud, HT(ASCP)
Anatomic Pathology Supervisor
Laboratory
Holy Redeemer Hospital
1648 Huntingdon Pike
Meadowbrook, PA 19046
ph: 215-938-3689
fax: 215-938-3874
Care, Comfort, and Heal



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[Histonet] Type AB Thymoma

[Curt via Histonet]

Any thoughts on what this might be useful for in terms of controls and/or 
research? I just obtained a large specimen and wonder if there is any real need 
to process and store it...


Thanks,

Curt


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[Histonet] Histology Hacks - the book

[Terri Braud via Histonet]

I just wanted to share a quick review of the new book "Histology Hacks", by 
Michael Backhus.  It is the kind of book that brings together all of the little 
tidbits that a tech picks up along a lifetime of working and networking with 
others.  It is well organized and the information is presented with the pros 
and cons of each hint.  The big bonus was that by flipping through the book in 
my department, it started a conversation on techniques and experiences with 
similar tips.  Anything that gets your Histology team excitedly talking about 
their profession is well worth the relatively small investment.  It would make 
a great staff present for Lab Week.  I don't know Michael, but kudos!  Check it 
out on Amazon.

Terri L. Braud, HT(ASCP)
Anatomic Pathology Supervisor
Laboratory
Holy Redeemer Hospital
1648 Huntingdon Pike
Meadowbrook, PA 19046
ph: 215-938-3689
fax: 215-938-3874
Care, Comfort, and Heal



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[Histonet] New Cap cross contamination at gross bench

[Roy, Ryan via Histonet]

Anyone out there see the new CAP requirement regarding cross contamination at 
gross bench and cleaning of forceps.

How are other people planning to comply. My supervisor has instructed me to use 
a Germinatior 500 at gross bench and at Embedd center.

I have no experience using these sterilizers but my initial thought is that I 
will need to be really careful not to inadvertently apply too much heat to the 
tissue.

Any thoughts appreciated,


Ryan Roy HTL (ASCP)
Manchester VA Medical Center

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