RE: [Histonet] Re: Radioactive specimens policy
Had CAP inspection yesterday, while this was not specifically raised as an issue, my pathologist advised me to address in policy even though it is not terribly applicable in this lab situation. I was able to include with the exclusion list, specifically addressing the seeds and breast masses, sentinel lymph nodes, and this works with this being a reference facility that has no attached surgical facilities and so already has limits on the specimen types accepted for testing. This most likely would not suffice for a hospital situation. So short answer, I put a policy statement together within another policy, but a free standing policy might be needed depending on how much you see/handle these types of specimens. Hope this helps. Joelle Weaver MAOM, HTL (ASCP) QIHC Date: Thu, 4 Sep 2014 13:16:28 -0400 From: rsrichm...@gmail.com To: histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu Subject: [Histonet] Re: Radioactive specimens policy Amanda Reichard, HTL (ASCP)cm, at Licking Memorial Health Systems in Newark, Ohio asks: Would anyone be willing to share their policy/procedure for radioactive specimen acceptance, transport, storage, and disposal? - We are currently revising our policy and would like to see what precautions, if any, other institutions establish in the laboratory. I've never seen a written policy - these questions are customarily swept under the rug - but I've seen references though I have no very current ones. By far the most common specimens are breast masses and sentinel lymph nodes with technetium 99m, which has a half-life of only 6 hours. These specimens don't require any special handling beyond Universal Precautions. I haven't been able to get a lot of information about the radioactive seeds used to treat prostate cancer, and occasionally received in TURP specimens. The isotopes used have half-lives of around 70 days, so they would be regarded as being potentially hazardous for around two years (ten half-lives). It usually takes a phone call to find out how long ago the seeds were put in. Bob Richmond Samurai Pathologist Maryville TN ___ 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] HercepTest Kit K5207
Hello Histoland, Dako is experiencing a shortage of the FDA HercepTest kits, K5207, hopefully they will get more in the end of Sept. I am in panic mode, as I only have enough stock to stain patients through next week! Does anyone have enough stock to loan me a kit Our company will pay for shipping and certainly replace the kit the moment Dako receives theirs. Thank you, Cindy Cynthia Bulmer HT(ASCP)QIHC IHC Supervisor, CTPL Waco, TX ___ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet
[Histonet] Histotech Job Opportunity/Fountain Valley, Orange County, CA
Please no hiring staff services calling. We are in need of a part-time histotechnician who can work on Tuesdays and Saturdays, and then also to fill in during the week when needed. Hours start at 5 am. We work Tuesdays through Saturdays. Only experienced histotechs apply, which means previous experience in a lab work environment (not as an intern), and being able to cut (microtomy), and embed all types of tissues. We are a busy lab who supports hospitals, surgery centers and physician practice offices Please send resume to: Paula Lucas 714-755-2984. Thank you ___ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet
[Histonet] Tissue Processor Validation:
Does anyone have a tissue processor validation form that they are willing to share? Thank you. Sent from my iPhone ___ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet
[Histonet] RE: Radioactive Policies
Hi - I Think I can help. We have a policy and I've provided it here. Also, we have a separate policy in our autopsy manual concerning the handling of radioactive cadavers, which is rather extensive. We also participate in an annual Radiation Accident Drill which is county wide and covers emergency response teams, hospital emergency, laboratory, and morgue services. Its quite a big deal to witness and lots of fun to participate in. Here is our tissue procedure. Please let me know if you need a copy of the other. PURPOSE: To provide guidelines for the handling of sentinel lymph nodes and other tissue with possible radioactivity. PRINCIPLE: The technique of sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLN) attempts to detect regional node metastases by identification of the sentinel lymph node(s) using a combination of radiolabeled colloid (99m Technetium labeled sulfur or Human Serum Albumin) and isosulfuran blue dye. The premise is that lymph node metastases will initially travel by lymphatic drainage to the sentinel node. Other tissues that might contain radioactive substances are identified and handled according to the Radiation Safety Officer's recommendations. PROCEDURE: 1. During the validation phase of the SLN biopsy technique, the sentinel lymph node(s) and the completion lymph node dissection will be submitted to Pathology in separately labeled containers. For mapping with a radiolabeled colloid, an injected dose of technetium (99mTc) in the range of 0.1 to 1.0 mCi (3.7 to 37 MBq) is approximately 4% of that administered for a conventional bone scan. No isolation, precautions, or special radiation monitoring are required. 2. Specimens should be submitted in 10% neutral buffered formalin unless an intraoperative consultation is requested. 3. Gross examination will identify the number and the size of the sentinel lymph node(s). Nodes should be sectioned into 2-3 mm slices. Grossly evident metastatic disease should be noted. 4. Following tissue processing, at the pathologist's instruction, the SLN block will be sectioned at 3 levels at 4 microns. All levels will be stained with hematoxylin and eosin. Immunostaining will also be performed when appropriate. Lymph nodes demonstrating metastatic disease on Frozen Section are routinely cut at one level only. 5. If the pathologist does not ask for the protocol procedure, then the lymph node is to be sectioned as regular tissue. 6. For any other tissue sent to the Histology, suspected or labeled as containing radioactive substances, the Histology Tech is to immediately call the Hospital Radiation Safety Officer for radiation measurement and instructions for the handling of the tissue. 7. The tech will immediately notify the pathologist on call that tissue with suspect radiation has been received and the Radiation Safety Officer has been called 8. The Radiation Safety Officer's handling instructions will supersede any further processing of the tissue. Documentation of the Radiation Safety Officer's tissue handling recommendations will be included on the requisition. Reference: JCO October 20, 2005 vol. 23 no. 30 7703-7720 Terri L. Braud, HT(ASCP) Anatomic Pathology Supervisor Holy Redeemer Hospital Laboratory 1648 Huntingdon Pike Meadowbrook, PA 19046 Ph: 215-938-3676 Fax: 215-938-3874 -Original Message- Today's Topics: 1. Re: Radioactive specimens policy (Bob Richmond) 6. RE: Re: Radioactive specimens policy (Joelle Weaver) - CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: This E-Mail is intended only for the use of the individual or entity to which it was sent. It may contain information that is privileged and/or confidential, and the use or disclosure of such information may also be restricted under applicable federal and state law. If you received this communication in error, please do not distribute any part of it or retain any copies, and delete the original E-Mail. Please notify the sender of any error by E-Mail. Thank you for your cooperation. ___ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet
