RE: [Histonet] Hot Topic Medicare Code
AMA prescribes codes 88342 and 88343 for qualitative IHC (Non-Medicare): The AMA's CPT-2014 codebook offers two codes for reporting with qualitative immunohistochemistry (IHC) testing. The codes and official parenthetical instructions for their use starting Jan. 1 are as follows: 88342 Immunohistochemistry or immunocytochemistry, each separately identifiable antibody per block, cytologic preparation, or hematologic smear; first separately identifiable antibody per slide (Do not report 88342 in conjunction with 88360 or 88361 for the same antibody) (For quantitative or semi-quantitative immunohistochemistry, see 88360, 88361) 88343 each additional separately identifiable antibody per slide (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure) (Use 88343 in conjunction with 88342) (When multiple antibodies are applied to the same slide, use one unit of 88342 for the first separately identifiable antibody and one unit of 88343 for each additional identifiable antibody) CMS prescribes codes G0461 and G0462 for qualitative IHC: CMS will not accept CPT code 88342 or 88343 on a claim effective with dates of service on and after Jan. 1, 2014: Those two codes are "not valid for Medicare purposes" and will be summarily denied if billed. To report a professional, technical or global charge for qualitative immunohistochemistry (IHC) testing for a Medicare beneficiary on and after Jan. 1, 2014, you must use the applicable HCPCS Level II code as follows: G0461 Immunohistochemistry or immunocytochemistry, per specimen; first single or multiplex antibody stain G0462 each additional single or multiplex antibody stain (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure) Codes G0461 and G0462 have 26 and TC modifier lines in the 2014 physician fee schedule, so you'll bill them using the modifier (or no modifier, if entitled to bill the global service) that applies to your practice and any given Medicare beneficiary claim. CMS prescribes that you continue to bill for qualitative IHC testing 'per specimen' as you have since Jan. 1, 2012. Furthermore, you'll continue to bill for quantitative IHC testing 'per specimen' using CPT codes 88360 and 88361 just as you do today and have done since Jan. 1, 2012. Effective January 1, 2014, per CMS (Medicare) all prostate needle biopsies, any method will be reported with the appropriate HCPCS code. They are: G0416-Surgical pathology, gross and microscopic examination for prostate needle biopsies, any method: 10 to 20 specimens (This is the code that pertains to most of our Prostate Needle Biopsy Cases) G0417- Surgical pathology, gross and microscopic examination for prostate needle biopsies, any method: 21 to 40 specimens G0418- Surgical pathology, gross and microscopic examination for prostate needle biopsies, any method: 41 to 60 specimens G0419- Surgical pathology, gross and microscopic examination for prostate needle biopsies, any method: greater than 60 specimens Per CMS, the descriptor was changed to say "any method" and is no longer tied to the surgical approach. So now it will be the count of individual biopsies that will tell you how to code your case. If you have 12 vials, you will report G0416. Please note that for nine or less you will continue to report 88305 per the number of separately identified biopsies. This will apply for CMS patients nationwide. Walter Benton HT(ASCP)QIHC Histology Supervisor Chesapeake Urology Associates 806 Landmark Drive, Suite 127 Glen Burnie, MD 21061 443-471-5850 (Direct) 410-768-5961 (Lab) 410-768-5965 (Fax) ChesapeakeUrology.com Voted a Best Place to Work by Baltimore and Modern Healthcare Magazines. From: histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu [histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of Mary Ann Deathridge [madeathri...@pastnashville.com] Sent: Thursday, January 02, 2014 5:34 PM To: histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu Subject: [Histonet] Hot Topic Medicare Code HAPPY NEW YEAR HISTONETTERS! Ok, so here is a question for 2014 coders.How do you code ( or should I say get to code) a doublestain for Medicare and for non-medicare? G0461 and G0462 (Medicare) and 88342 and 88343 for non-medicare. Can you charge for both antibodies in the doublestain or do you only charge one code and eat the second antibody on the same slide. Thanks for replies in advance. Maryann Deathridge, BS, HT (ASCP) Lab Manager Pathology Assoc.. of St. Thomas 615-298-4100, Fax: 615-298-4141 ___ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: The information contained in this electronic message is intended solely for the personal and confidential use of the designated recipient(s) named above and may contain information that is protected from disclosure under a
[Histonet] Hot Topic Medicare Code
HAPPY NEW YEAR HISTONETTERS! Ok, so here is a question for 2014 coders.How do you code ( or should I say get to code) a doublestain for Medicare and for non-medicare? G0461 and G0462 (Medicare) and 88342 and 88343 for non-medicare. Can you charge for both antibodies in the doublestain or do you only charge one code and eat the second antibody on the same slide. Thanks for replies in advance. Maryann Deathridge, BS, HT (ASCP) Lab Manager Pathology Assoc.. of St. Thomas 615-298-4100, Fax: 615-298-4141 ___ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet
[Histonet] Embedding paraffin for brain tissue?
Hi All Before looking at the wax issue, have you tried changing/looking at the processing issue first? We cut our human brain tissues (routine and large ) daily and we don't have any problem . We found that brain specs are better processed on a 5 days cycle, making them easier to handle ,cut and stain. Fawaz Zouabi Histo-Technologist Department of Forensic Medicine Glebe NSW Forensic & Analytical Science Service - FASS P O Box 90 Glebe NSW 2037 | Tel +612 8584 7842 | Fax +612 95664573 _ This email has been scanned for the Sydney & South Western Sydney Local Health Districts by the MessageLabs Email Security System. Sydney & South Western Sydney Local Health Districts regularly monitor email and attachments to ensure compliance with the NSW Ministry of Health's Electronic Messaging Policy. ___ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet
[Histonet] RE: Beta-Amyloid antibody, clone 6E10 availability
Linda, We get ours from Covance. Brett Brett M. Connolly, Ph.D. Principal Scientist, Imaging Dept. Merck & Co., Inc. PO Box 4, WP-44K West Point, PA 19486 brett_conno...@merck.com T- 215-652-2501 F- 215-993-6803 -Original Message- From: histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu [mailto:histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of Sebree Linda A Sent: Thursday, January 02, 2014 4:11 PM To: Histonet (Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu) Subject: [Histonet] Beta-Amyloid antibody, clone 6E10 availability So Histonet land, our usual vendor for this antibody can no longer get this clone. My question is: does anyone know who might hold the patent on this clone or at least know any company selling the 6E10 clone? Thanks, Linda A. Sebree University of Wisconsin Hospital & Clinics IHC/ISH Laboratory 600 Highland Ave. Madison, WI 53792 (608)265-6596 FAX: (608)262-7174 ___ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet Notice: This e-mail message, together with any attachments, contains information of Merck & Co., Inc. (One Merck Drive, Whitehouse Station, New Jersey, USA 08889), and/or its affiliates Direct contact information for affiliates is available at http://www.merck.com/contact/contacts.html) that may be confidential, proprietary copyrighted and/or legally privileged. It is intended solely for the use of the individual or entity named on this message. If you are not the intended recipient, and have received this message in error, please notify us immediately by reply e-mail and then delete it from your system. ___ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet
[Histonet] Beta-Amyloid antibody, clone 6E10 availability
So Histonet land, our usual vendor for this antibody can no longer get this clone. My question is: does anyone know who might hold the patent on this clone or at least know any company selling the 6E10 clone? Thanks, Linda A. Sebree University of Wisconsin Hospital & Clinics IHC/ISH Laboratory 600 Highland Ave. Madison, WI 53792 (608)265-6596 FAX: (608)262-7174 ___ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet
[Histonet] Fixed tissue storage ratio in 70% ethanol
Hello, When transferring formalin-fixed tissues to 70% ethanol for storage, is there a recommended ratio of ethanol volume to tissue volume? Thanks very much, Carla Carla Conway Histology Technician Western Fisheries Research Center, USGS 6505 N.E. 65th Street Seattle, WA 98115-5016 USA Phone: 206-526-6282 ext. 242 Fax: 206-526-6654 E-mail: cmcon...@usgs.gov ___ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet
[Histonet] Betagalactosidase/LacZ
I have a question Lac Z staining and BetaGalactosidase IHC. The Lac-Z stain is enzyme dependent, so it must be fresh/frozen for the reaction to work. Is this also true for the betagalactosidase IHC? The target of the antibody is the enzyme, but I am not sure if the enzyme need to be "active" or just present for the antibody to bind to it. If anyone has knowledge on the subject, please share! We are working with mouse kidneys, and although our controls are positive, the kidneys that should be are not. Thank you, Liz The information in this email, including attachments, may be confidential and is intended solely for the addressee(s). If you believe you received this email by mistake, please notify the sender by return email as soon as possible. ___ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet
Re: [Histonet] Histology program/school?
For Schools in the British Isles: http://www.nhshistopathology.net/ Click on Schools. Peggy A. Wenk, HTL(ASCP)SLS -Original Message- From: Leila Etemadi Sent: Thursday, January 02, 2014 12:16 PM To: histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu Subject: Re: [Histonet] Histology program/school? Is any one knows any school/Lab in Europe? On 02 Jan 2014, at 18:01, Weems, Joyce K. wrote: Darton College in Albany has an online associates program. I would start there. Joyce Weems Pathology Manager 678-843-7376 Phone 678-843-7831 Fax joyce.we...@emoryhealthcare.org www.saintjosephsatlanta.org 5665 Peachtree Dunwoody Road Atlanta, GA 30342 This e-mail, including any attachments is the property of Saint Joseph's Hospital and is intended for the sole use of the intended recipient(s). It may contain information that is privileged and confidential. Any unauthorized review, use, disclosure, or distribution is prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient, please delete this message, and reply to the sender regarding the error in a separate email. -Original Message- From: histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu [mailto:histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of Michelle Lamphere Sent: Tuesday, December 31, 2013 8:50 PM To: histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu Subject: [Histonet] Histology program/school? Are there any histology programs or school in the Atlanta, GA area? If not, what would be a good place to start (in Atlanta) for somebody who wants to become a histotech? Michelle Lamphere, HT(ASCP) Lead Tech, Histology Department of Anatomic Pathology 1935 Medical District Dr. Dallas, TX 75235 214.456.2318 Please consider the environment before printing this e-mail This e-mail, facsimile, or letter and any files or attachments transmitted with it contains information that is confidential and privileged. This information is intended only for the use of the individual(s) and entity(ies) to whom it is addressed. If you are the intended recipient, further disclosures are prohibited without proper authorization. If you are not the intended recipient, any disclosure, copying, printing, or use of this information is strictly prohibited and possibly a violation of federal or state law and regulations. If you have received this information in error, please notify Children's Medical Center Dallas immediately at 214-456- or via e-mail at priv...@childrens.com. Children's Medical Center Dallas and its affiliates hereby claim all applicable privileges related to this information. Please consider the environment before printing this e-mail This e-mail, facsimile, or letter and any files or attachments transmitted with it contains information that is confidential and privileged. This information is intended only for the use of the individual(s) and entity(ies) to whom it is addressed. If you are the intended recipient, further disclosures are prohibited without proper authorization. If you are not the intended recipient, any disclosure, copying, printing, or use of this information is strictly prohibited and possibly a violation of federal or state law and regulations. If you have received this information in error, please notify Children's Medical Center Dallas immediately at 214-456- or via e-mail at priv...@childrens.com. Children's Medical Center Dallas and its affiliates hereby claim all applicable privileges related to this information. ___ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet This e-mail message (including any attachments) is for the sole use of the intended recipient(s) and may contain confidential and privileged information. If the reader of this message is not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any dissemination, distribution or copying of this message (including any attachments) is strictly prohibited. If you have received this message in error, please contact the sender by reply e-mail message and destroy all copies of the original message (including attachments). ___ 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 ___ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet
Re: [Histonet] Histology program/school?
Is any one knows any school/Lab in Europe? On 02 Jan 2014, at 18:01, Weems, Joyce K. wrote: > Darton College in Albany has an online associates program. I would start > there. > > Joyce Weems > Pathology Manager > 678-843-7376 Phone > 678-843-7831 Fax > joyce.we...@emoryhealthcare.org > > > > www.saintjosephsatlanta.org > 5665 Peachtree Dunwoody Road > Atlanta, GA 30342 > > This e-mail, including any attachments is the property of Saint Joseph's > Hospital and is intended for the sole use of the intended recipient(s). It > may contain information that is privileged and confidential. Any > unauthorized review, use, disclosure, or distribution is prohibited. If you > are not the intended recipient, please delete this message, and reply to the > sender regarding the error in a separate email. > > > -Original Message- > From: histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu > [mailto:histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of Michelle > Lamphere > Sent: Tuesday, December 31, 2013 8:50 PM > To: histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu > Subject: [Histonet] Histology program/school? > > Are there any histology programs or school in the Atlanta, GA area? If not, > what would be a good place to start (in Atlanta) for somebody who wants to > become a histotech? > > > > Michelle Lamphere, HT(ASCP) > Lead Tech, Histology > Department of Anatomic Pathology > 1935 Medical District Dr. > Dallas, TX 75235 > 214.456.2318 > > Please consider the environment before printing this e-mail > > This e-mail, facsimile, or letter and any files or attachments transmitted > with it contains information that is confidential and privileged. This > information is intended only for the use of the > individual(s) and entity(ies) to whom it is addressed. If you are the > intended recipient, further disclosures are prohibited without proper > authorization. If you are not the intended recipient, any disclosure, > copying, printing, or use of this information is strictly prohibited and > possibly a violation of federal or state law and regulations. If you have > received this information in error, please notify Children's Medical Center > Dallas immediately at 214-456- or via e-mail at priv...@childrens.com. > Children's Medical Center Dallas and its affiliates hereby claim all > applicable privileges related to this information. > > > Please consider the environment before printing this e-mail > > This e-mail, facsimile, or letter and any files or attachments transmitted > with it contains information that is confidential and privileged. This > information is intended only for the use of the > individual(s) and entity(ies) to whom it is addressed. If you are the > intended recipient, further disclosures are prohibited without proper > authorization. If you are not the intended recipient, any disclosure, > copying, printing, or use of this information is strictly prohibited and > possibly a violation of federal or state law and regulations. If you have > received this information in error, please notify Children's Medical Center > Dallas immediately at 214-456- or via e-mail at priv...@childrens.com. > Children's Medical Center Dallas and its affiliates hereby claim all > applicable privileges related to this information. > > ___ > Histonet mailing list > Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu > http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet > > > > This e-mail message (including any attachments) is for the sole use of > the intended recipient(s) and may contain confidential and privileged > information. If the reader of this message is not the intended > recipient, you are hereby notified that any dissemination, distribution > or copying of this message (including any attachments) is strictly > prohibited. > > If you have received this message in error, please contact > the sender by reply e-mail message and destroy all copies of the > original message (including attachments). > > ___ > 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
[Histonet] AFB control
Happy New Year everyone! Does anybody have an extra AFB control block they would be willing to give up? We aren't having any luck looking in past cases and tried to get help from our Micro dept. to make our own without much luck. Andrea Bilger York Hospital York, Pa. 17405 (717)851-5040 CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: This email may contain confidential health information that is legally privileged. This information is intended for the use of the named recipient(s). The authorized recipient of this information is prohibited from disclosing this information to any party unless required to do so by law or regulation and is required to destroy the information after its stated need has been fulfilled. If you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any disclosure, copying, distribution, or action taken in reliance on the contents of this email is strictly prohibited. If you receive this e-mail message in error, please notify the sender immediately to arrange disposition of the information.. __ This e-mail has been scanned by Verizon Managed Email Content Service, using Skeptic(tm) technology powered by MessageLabs. For more information on Verizon's Managed Email Content Service, visit http://www.verizonbusiness.com. __ ___ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet
[Histonet] RE: cryostat
ANP.23410 Cryostat Decontamination Phase II There is a documented procedure for the routine decontamination of the cryostat at defined intervals, and decontamination records are evident. NOTE: The cryostat must be defrosted and decontaminated by wiping all exposed surfaces with tuberculocidal disinfectant. The cryostat should be at room temperature during decontamination unless otherwise specified by the manufacturer. This should be done at an interval appropriate for the institution; this must be weekly for instruments used daily. Trimmings and sections of tissue that accumulate inside the cryostat must be removed during decontamination. Although not a requirement, steel mesh gloves should be worn when changing knife blades. REFERENCES 1) Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI). Protection of Laboratory Workers From Occupationally Acquired Infections; Approved Guideline—Third Edition. CLSI document M29-A3 (ISBN 1-56238-567-4). Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute, 940 West Valley Road, Suite 1400, Wayne, Pennsylvania 19087-1898 USA, 2005. 2) http://www.well.ox.ac.uk/_asset/file/leica-disinifection-2.pdf 3) http://www.epa.gov/oppad001/list_b_tuberculocide.pdf Walter Benton HT(ASCP)QIHC Histology Supervisor Chesapeake Urology Associates 806 Landmark Drive, Suite 127 Glen Burnie, MD 21061 443-471-5850 (Direct) 410-768-5961 (Lab) 410-768-5965 (Fax) ChesapeakeUrology.com Voted a Best Place to Work by Baltimore and Modern Healthcare Magazines. From: histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu [histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of Webb, Dorothy L [dorothy.l.w...@healthpartners.com] Sent: Thursday, January 02, 2014 11:44 AM To: 'histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu' Subject: [Histonet] cryostat Does anyone have any current information on the cryostats with UV for decontamination? Specifically, is it accepted as a means of decontamination by CAP or JS or any other regulatory agencies? Basically, is it worth the extra dollars to go that route? Much thanks and Happy 2014!! Dorothy Webb, HT (ASCP) Regions Histology Technical Specialist 651-254-2962 This e-mail and any files transmitted with it are confidential and are intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to whom they are addressed. If you are not the intended recipient or the individual responsible for delivering the e-mail to the intended recipient, please be advised that you have received this e-mail in error and that any use, dissemination, forwarding, printing, or copying of this e-mail is strictly prohibited. If you have received this communication in error, please return it to the sender immediately and delete the original message and any copy of it from your computer system. If you have any questions concerning this message, please contact the sender. Disclaimer R001.0 ___ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: The information contained in this electronic message is intended solely for the personal and confidential use of the designated recipient(s) named above and may contain information that is protected from disclosure under applicable law. If you are not the intended recipient, or the employee or agent responsible for delivering it to the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any dissemination, distribution or copying of this transmission is strictly prohibited. If you have received this transmission in error, please notify the transmitting person/department immediately by email or telephone (410) 581-5881 and delete the message without making a copy. ___ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet
[Histonet] RE: Histology program/school?
Darton College in Albany has an online associates program. I would start there. Joyce Weems Pathology Manager 678-843-7376 Phone 678-843-7831 Fax joyce.we...@emoryhealthcare.org www.saintjosephsatlanta.org 5665 Peachtree Dunwoody Road Atlanta, GA 30342 This e-mail, including any attachments is the property of Saint Joseph's Hospital and is intended for the sole use of the intended recipient(s). It may contain information that is privileged and confidential. Any unauthorized review, use, disclosure, or distribution is prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient, please delete this message, and reply to the sender regarding the error in a separate email. -Original Message- From: histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu [mailto:histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of Michelle Lamphere Sent: Tuesday, December 31, 2013 8:50 PM To: histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu Subject: [Histonet] Histology program/school? Are there any histology programs or school in the Atlanta, GA area? If not, what would be a good place to start (in Atlanta) for somebody who wants to become a histotech? Michelle Lamphere, HT(ASCP) Lead Tech, Histology Department of Anatomic Pathology 1935 Medical District Dr. Dallas, TX 75235 214.456.2318 Please consider the environment before printing this e-mail This e-mail, facsimile, or letter and any files or attachments transmitted with it contains information that is confidential and privileged. This information is intended only for the use of the individual(s) and entity(ies) to whom it is addressed. If you are the intended recipient, further disclosures are prohibited without proper authorization. If you are not the intended recipient, any disclosure, copying, printing, or use of this information is strictly prohibited and possibly a violation of federal or state law and regulations. If you have received this information in error, please notify Children's Medical Center Dallas immediately at 214-456- or via e-mail at priv...@childrens.com. Children's Medical Center Dallas and its affiliates hereby claim all applicable privileges related to this information. Please consider the environment before printing this e-mail This e-mail, facsimile, or letter and any files or attachments transmitted with it contains information that is confidential and privileged. This information is intended only for the use of the individual(s) and entity(ies) to whom it is addressed. If you are the intended recipient, further disclosures are prohibited without proper authorization. If you are not the intended recipient, any disclosure, copying, printing, or use of this information is strictly prohibited and possibly a violation of federal or state law and regulations. If you have received this information in error, please notify Children's Medical Center Dallas immediately at 214-456- or via e-mail at priv...@childrens.com. Children's Medical Center Dallas and its affiliates hereby claim all applicable privileges related to this information. ___ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet This e-mail message (including any attachments) is for the sole use of the intended recipient(s) and may contain confidential and privileged information. If the reader of this message is not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any dissemination, distribution or copying of this message (including any attachments) is strictly prohibited. If you have received this message in error, please contact the sender by reply e-mail message and destroy all copies of the original message (including attachments). ___ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet
[Histonet] cryostat
Does anyone have any current information on the cryostats with UV for decontamination? Specifically, is it accepted as a means of decontamination by CAP or JS or any other regulatory agencies? Basically, is it worth the extra dollars to go that route? Much thanks and Happy 2014!! Dorothy Webb, HT (ASCP) Regions Histology Technical Specialist 651-254-2962 This e-mail and any files transmitted with it are confidential and are intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to whom they are addressed. If you are not the intended recipient or the individual responsible for delivering the e-mail to the intended recipient, please be advised that you have received this e-mail in error and that any use, dissemination, forwarding, printing, or copying of this e-mail is strictly prohibited. If you have received this communication in error, please return it to the sender immediately and delete the original message and any copy of it from your computer system. If you have any questions concerning this message, please contact the sender. Disclaimer R001.0 ___ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet
Re: [Histonet] Embedding paraffin for brain tissue?
Hi there, 1. Have you changed anything in the processing and embedding processes themselves (dehydration, clearing agents and times, etc)? Friable sections could also come from extended times in the clearing agent... 2. There is also a section transfer system with a waterfall. We have a microtome which has both systems to collect the ribbons (classical and with the waterfall). There is a huge difference between them, it is much easier to cut on the water-based system. We can cut even 100 seriate sections without losing even 1 section!!! And there are also Peltier-based cooling block clamps that help keeping your paraffin bloc cold during the cutting!!! There are many companies offering these options... But since you are experiencing a sudden change in the quality of the ribbons with the same paraffin initially, I would seriously consider first some change in the embedding protocol... I hope this might help! A HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL HISTONETT-ERS! Pirici Nicolae Daniel, MD, PhD Department of Histology University of Medicine and Pharmacy Craiova Petru Rares Street 2, 200349 Craiova, Dolj Romania From: Maria Mejia To: Tim Wheelock Cc: "histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu" Sent: Thursday, January 2, 2014 8:04 AM Subject: Re: [Histonet] Embedding paraffin for brain tissue? Hello, I too have been experiencing the same difficulties cutting brain samples, I've tried 3 different types of paraffins - all the the same rolling of sections, some lines & tearing. It's not my microtome, because I've had it checked & it went through a recent general maintenance. I've tried several angle changes, used different brands of low profile coated blades & carefully watch the temperature of the tissue blocks. I'm also feeling very frustrated for not being able to cut good brain sections. Any assistance anyone can provide will be greatly appreciated. Maria Mejia UCSF Department of Neurology San Francisco, CA On Dec 31, 2013, at 8:41 AM, Tim Wheelock wrote: > Hi Everyone: > > In November, there was a discussion concerning different types of embedding > paraffin. > Do people find that a certain kind of wax is preferable for embedding brain > tissue, or doesn't it matter? > > I also use Surgipath EM-400, but have decided to try another brand. > I have been using this paraffin for about 25 years. > It used to cut like butter, with beautiful ribbons and no lines. > I would put the blocks on ice, wait 2 hours, and then cut 7-8 cases (about > 190 slides) per day easily. > Now I am struggling to cut 4-5 cases. > I am experiencing a lot of lines in my sections and some rolling and tearing > of parts of the sections. > This is affecting my lab's productivity, the quality of my sections, and is a > source of constant frustration. > > I am cutting with Surgipath high profile Teflon coated blades. > When I tried Thermo-Fisher HP-35 Ultra blades, at first they helped, but soon > I experienced rolling of the sections. > I have tried changing the angle of the blade, to no avail. > So, I thought that I would try a change in the embedding paraffin. > > Thanks for any suggestions that you may have, > > Tim Wheelock > Harvard Brain Bank > McLean Hospital > Belmont, MA > > ___ > 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 ___ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet
Re: [Histonet] Frozen section protocol on rat tendon and/or muscle aswell
Is the -80 degrees really a correct temp? We freeze our muscles around -150 to -160 Degrees C. Peggy A. Wenk, HTL(ASCP)SLS -Original Message- From: Ignacio Ruz Caracuel Sent: Thursday, January 02, 2014 7:27 AM To: Peter Petro ; histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu Subject: Re: [Histonet] Frozen section protocol on rat tendon and/or muscle aswell Dear Peter: Our muscle freeze protocol is very easy. We employed a small piece of cork of about 1x1cm, we pour a drop of OCT embedding medium and we placed the muscle on it. It´s important not to pour a big drop of OCT, cause it creates holes in the muscle as it infiltrates. Then we cooled isopentane in liquid nitrogen (-80 degrees) for about 10 minutes, we disolved it in case it aggregates and then we freeze the muscle for about 20 second. If you don´t pour too much OCT and you achieve a fast freezing with the isopentane at the correct temperature you won´t have those disturbing holes. Best regards, Ignacio Ruz-Caracuel Histology Intern Student Faculty of Medicine, Córdoba, SPAIN http://www.uco.es/regmus/ 2014/1/2 Peter Petro Dear all, Happy New Year. We are planning to work on rat tendon and frozen section of tendon will be performed. I'd like to ask for a better protocol to preserve, process and section tendon as we found there is a lot of ice crystal (holes) on sections of muscle that seriously affect our subsequent staining. Any better protocol to freeze muscle is also welcomed. We don't have much experience in handling frozen tissues. Best Regards, Peter ___ 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 ___ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet
Re: [Histonet] Frozen section protocol on rat tendon and/or muscle as well
Dear Peter: Our muscle freeze protocol is very easy. We employed a small piece of cork of about 1x1cm, we pour a drop of OCT embedding medium and we placed the muscle on it. It´s important not to pour a big drop of OCT, cause it creates holes in the muscle as it infiltrates. Then we cooled isopentane in liquid nitrogen (-80 degrees) for about 10 minutes, we disolved it in case it aggregates and then we freeze the muscle for about 20 second. If you don´t pour too much OCT and you achieve a fast freezing with the isopentane at the correct temperature you won´t have those disturbing holes. Best regards, Ignacio Ruz-Caracuel Histology Intern Student Faculty of Medicine, Córdoba, SPAIN http://www.uco.es/regmus/ 2014/1/2 Peter Petro > Dear all, > > > Happy New Year. > > > We are planning to work on rat tendon and frozen section of tendon will be > performed. I'd like to ask for a better protocol to preserve, process and > section tendon as we found there is a lot of ice crystal (holes) on > sections of muscle that seriously affect our subsequent staining. Any > better protocol to freeze muscle is also welcomed. We don't have much > experience in handling frozen tissues. > > > Best Regards, > > Peter > ___ > 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
[Histonet] GMAfix.
Hi All, a Happy New Year to all, my question is, is there any point in including iodoacetamide and phenylmethyl sulphonylchloride in the acetone( used at -20C) used for fixing biopsies prior to GMA processing/embedding?, many thanks. Richard Edwards University of Leicester U.K. ___ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet
