Re: [Histonet] [EXTERNAL] Histonet Digest, Vol 246, Issue 7

[Mayer,Toysha N via Histonet]

Jay,

I would think that the alkaline properties of the ammonia slow the swelling of 
the tissues unlike plain water.

Sincerely,

Toysha N. Mayer, DHSc, MBA, HT (ASCP)
Asst Professor/ Assoc Program Director
HTL Program
UTMDACC
tnma...@mdanderson.edu
off cell: 832-710-1837
off: 713-563-3481

* My workday may look different from your workday. Please do not feel obligated 
to respond outside of your normal working hours.




Today's Topics:

   1. Re: Inquiry on Tissue Softening for Microtomy (Jay Lundgren)
   2. Re: Inquiry on Tissue Softening for Microtomy (John Kiernan)


--

Message: 1
Date: Sat, 11 May 2024 15:40:41 -0500
From: Jay Lundgren 
To: John Kiernan 
Cc: "histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu"
,  IGNACIO GONZ?LEZ MASSONI

Subject: Re: [Histonet] Inquiry on Tissue Softening for Microtomy
Message-ID:

Content-Type: text/plain; charset="UTF-8"

I wouldn't say softening, I would say hydrating.  Ammonia water accelerates 
hydration of FFPE blocks.  Nobody knows how it works, it's a mystery.  Or at 
least I've never heard a scientific explanation.  Only pseudo-scientific mumbo 
jumbo like "facilitates the removal of paraffin" which is false.  Go soak a 
solid block of paraffin in pure NH4OH for 24 hours, it won't do anything.

I was told as a student at AFIP, "It opens the pores of the tissue so water can 
get in."  In other words, pseudo-scientific mumbo jumbo.

 It works though.  Somebody needs to get a $150,000,000 NIH grant and do a 
research project on how ammonia water hydrates tissue.  I worked with some 
lovely Hmong people in California that called it "crying water".

Using it can cause a big interpersonal problem with certain people in the lab 
though.  Interestingly, hypersensitivity to smells is one of the symptoms of 
autism.  Hypersensitivity to smells is also highly correlated with bipolar 
disorder and heightened emotional reactivity.  Sooo...

Jay A. Lundgren, M.S., HTL (ASCP)

On Fri, May 10, 2024 at 11:14?PM John Kiernan via Histonet < 
histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu> wrote:

>If you apply the ammonia to the cut surface of the paraffin block,
> I suspect that it softens the tissue in the same way as applying
> water: by entering interstices of the tissue that are not occupied by
> paraffin molecules.
>I never tried ammonia for this purpose but in the 1960s to early
> '70s I occasionally used a proprietary product called Mollifex, which
> I see is still sold. In 1972 or '73 an elderly technician told me that
> water was just as good, and I soon found out that he was right.
> Indeed, water had the advantage of working in 15-30 minutes rather than 
> taking several hours.
> John Kiernan
> Emeritus, UWO, London, Canada
> https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://publish.uwo.ca/*jkiernan/__;fg!!Pf
> beBCCAmug!juk_i8Jg3ONUBsR51Umi3igC1SLDdMxRkkmmp1f7YbeM8x7BKiM3NXEejTAY
> jEhu2b6T7wVQbTbUwRXPM0rOXYult8zZEn_W5G2JeH0EH0M$
> = = =
> 
> From: IGNACIO GONZ?LEZ MASSONI via Histonet <
> histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu>
> Sent: May 10, 2024 8:53 PM
> To: histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
> 
> Subject: [Histonet] Inquiry on Tissue Softening for Microtomy
>
> Dear friends at Histonet,
>
> I hope this message finds you well. I am reaching out to seek your
> expertise on a matter that has piqued my interest in the field of histology.
>
> I am currently delving into the process of preparing FFPE
> (formalin-fixed,
> paraffin-embedded) tissues for microtomy. Specifically, I am curious
> about the role of ammonia in softening these tissues before
> sectioning. From my understanding, ammonia serves as an alkaline agent
> that helps neutralize formalin's effects and facilitates the removal
> of paraffin, thus aiding in the softening of the tissue.
>
> However, I would greatly appreciate if you could provide a more
> detailed explanation of the chemical interactions at play here. How
> exactly does ammonia interact with the tissue components to achieve
> the desired softening effect? Moreover, are there any best practices
> or safety precautions that one should be aware of when using ammonia in this 
> context?
>
> Your insights on this topic would be invaluable to me and would
> greatly enhance my understanding of the intricacies involved in
> histological preparations.
>
> Thank you for your time and assistance.
>
> Warm regards from Santiago of Chile
>
> Ignacio, Medical Technologist
> ___
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> f7YbeM8x7BKiM3NXEejTAYjEhu2b6T7wVQbTbUwRXPM0rOXYult8zZEn_W5G2JeTLNjoU$
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Re: [Histonet] Aspergillus

[Mayer,Toysha N via Histonet]

Hi Ken,

Try mushrooms.

Sincerely,

Toysha N. Mayer, DHSc, MBA, HT (ASCP)
Asst Professor/ Assoc Program Director
HTL Program
UTMDACC
tnma...@mdanderson.edu
off cell: 832-710-1837
off: 713-563-3481



Today's Topics:

   1. Aspergillus (Ken M)


--

Message: 1
Date: Fri, 19 Jan 2024 19:04:16 +
From: Ken M 
To: "histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu"

Subject: [Histonet] Aspergillus
Message-ID:



Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

Can anyone provide me with Aspergillus tissue embedded blocks? Prefer good 
quality naturally occurring but will accept good quality home grown. We usually 
use Placenta, but the tissue doesn't matter much. Will buy or trade.

kdea...@hotmail.com


--

Subject: Digest Footer

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--

End of Histonet Digest, Vol 242, Issue 6


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Re: [Histonet] Von Kossa staining

[Mayer,Toysha N via Histonet]

Charles,

I am going to date myself and tell you that we placed the glass coplin jar on 
the back of the embedder (or in the water bath) added a bankers light and 
wrapped it with foil for 1 hr.

Sincerely,

Toysha N. Mayer, DHSc, MBA, HT (ASCP)
Asst Professor/ Assoc Program Director
HTL Program
UTMDACC
tnma...@mdanderson.edu
off cell: 832-710-1837
off: 713-563-3481


Today's Topics:

   1. Von Kossa staining (Charles Riley)
   2. Re: Von Kossa staining (Debra Siena)
   3. Re: Von Kossa staining (John Kiernan)
   4. Re: Von Kossa staining (Bernice Frederick)
   5. Re: Von Kossa staining (Mac Donald, Jennifer)


--

Message: 1
Date: Wed, 26 Jul 2023 14:23:16 -0400
From: Charles Riley 
To: histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
Subject: [Histonet] Von Kossa staining
Message-ID:

Content-Type: text/plain; charset="UTF-8"

Can anyone out there who performs Von Kossa staining provide me with any 
guidelines or suggestions for the light source to use for the Silver nitrate 
activation?

Is a standard handheld black light strong enough or does it need to be a UV 
sanitizing strength light if using UV versus incandescent bulb exposure?


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Re: [Histonet] Room Temperature for a Histology Lab

[Mayer,Toysha N via Histonet]

Have HVAC check the temp in the center of the room as well as by the vents.  We 
had a problem that the equipment produced so much heat that it caused the 
ribbons to stick together.
Using regulations for instrument and reagent storage can validate your request. 
 I would also take into account the number of techs working in the lab at its 
busiest.

Sincerely,


Toysha N. Mayer, DHSc, MBA, HT (ASCP)
Assistant Professor/Associate Program Director
HTL Program School of Health Professions
MD Anderson Cancer Center
tnma...@mdanderson.org
713-563-3481 wk
832-710-1837 cell



Today's Topics:

   1. Re: Room temperature optimal for Histology Lab
  (jdhanna...@gmail.com)
   2. Re: Room temperature optimal for Histology Lab (Long, Denise M.)


--

Hello Denise,

I do not have an answer to your question, but as a consideration when it comes 
to room temperature, it?s important to keep in mind reagent storage temperature 
ranges if you are a CAP (and possibly CLIA) accredited lab.

If you have a reagent that says it should be stored 20C (68F) to 25C (77F) and 
you set your lab to 67F because (hypothetically) there is scientific literature 
saying stating that?s the optimal temperature in a histology lab, then when CAP 
comes and does an inspection, they could site you a deficiency for improper 
reagent storage.

> On May 24, 2023, at 5:00 AM, Long, Denise M.  wrote:
>
> ?
> Good morning,
> I'm looking for any scientific based information about optimal room 
> temperature and humidity ranges for a Histology lab. I understand it all 
> depends on your paraffin, but I need something for my meeting with HVAC.
> Can anyone point me to a source document?
>
>
> Denise M. Long, MS, HTL (ASCP) QIHC
> University of Connecticut
> Department of Pathobiology
> Connecticut Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory Histology
> Laboratory Storrs, Connecticut 06269-3089
> (860) 486-0851
>



--



-Original Message-
From: jdhanna...@gmail.com 
Sent: Wednesday, May 24, 2023 2:27 PM
To: Long, Denise M. 
Cc: histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
Subject: Re: [Histonet] Room temperature optimal for Histology Lab

*Message sent from a system outside of UConn.*


Hello Denise,

I do not have an answer to your question, but as a consideration when it comes 
to room temperature, it?s important to keep in mind reagent storage temperature 
ranges if you are a CAP (and possibly CLIA) accredited lab.

If you have a reagent that says it should be stored 20C (68F) to 25C (77F) and 
you set your lab to 67F because (hypothetically) there is scientific literature 
saying stating that?s the optimal temperature in a histology lab, then when CAP 
comes and does an inspection, they could site you a deficiency for improper 
reagent storage.

> On May 24, 2023, at 5:00 AM, Long, Denise M.  wrote:
>
> ?
> Good morning,
> I'm looking for any scientific based information about optimal room 
> temperature and humidity ranges for a Histology lab. I understand it all 
> depends on your paraffin, but I need something for my meeting with HVAC.
> Can anyone point me to a source document?
>
>
> Denise M. Long, MS, HTL (ASCP) QIHC
> University of Connecticut
> Department of Pathobiology
> Connecticut Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory Histology
> Laboratory Storrs, Connecticut 06269-3089
> (860) 486-0851
>

--

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End of Histonet Digest, Vol 234, Issue 19
*

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Re: [Histonet] BLOCKS AND SLIDES

[Mayer,Toysha N via Histonet]

Another thing that can be done is to donate them to your closest histology 
program.  If they have a student lab, blocks are always needed.
If you facility is a teaching hospital, you may already be covered under the 
initial waiver for uses for teaching, or whatever it's called.  Some programs 
will pay for shipping, and will re-embed the blocks as well for privacy.

Sincerely,


Toysha N. Mayer, DHSc, MBA, HT (ASCP)
Assistant Professor/Associate Program Director
HTL Program School of Health Professions
MD Anderson Cancer Center
tnma...@mdanderson.org
713-563-3481 wk
832-710-1837 cell

Message: 1
Date: Thu, 12 Jan 2023 18:01:39 + (UTC)
From: Dorothy Glass 
To: "histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu"

Subject: [Histonet] BLOCKS AND SLIDES
Message-ID: <2133152761.579610.1673546499...@mail.yahoo.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8

What is the required length of time that you must keep blocks and slides in 
histology

--

Message: 2

The CAP requirement is a minimum of 10 years for both.  Your state's department 
of health may have different standards.  The strictest standard should always 
be adhered to.

Stacy McLaughlin, HT(ASCP) QLScm
Histology Supervisor
Cooley Dickinson Hospital
30 Locust Street
Northampton, MA 01060
Office:  (413)582-2019
Lab:  (413)582-2179
smclaughl...@cooleydickinson.org




-Original Message-
From: Dorothy Glass via Histonet 
Sent: Thursday, January 12, 2023 1:02 PM
To: histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
Subject: [Histonet] BLOCKS AND SLIDES

External Email - Use Caution

What is the required length of time that you must keep blocks and slides in 
histology





--

Message: 3
Date: Thu, 12 Jan 2023 18:45:10 +
From: "Whitaker, Bonnie" 
To: Dorothy Glass ,
"histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu"

Subject: Re: [Histonet] BLOCKS AND SLIDES
Message-ID:



Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

It depends on who your most stringent governing body is.  If you have a lab in 
NY, or that takes specimens from NY, it's 20 years for both.  For CAP it's 10 
years.  There may be other states that have more stringent rules, etc.

Bonnie Whitaker
Ohio State University
AP Operations Director

614-293-8418

-Original Message-
From: Dorothy Glass via Histonet 
Sent: Thursday, January 12, 2023 1:02 PM
To: histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
Subject: [Histonet] BLOCKS AND SLIDES

External Email: CAUTION

What is the required length of time that you must keep blocks and slides in 
histology ___
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--

Message: 4
Date: Thu, 12 Jan 2023 20:43:53 +
From: Ken M 
To: "histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu"

Subject: [Histonet] Expired Tissue Blocks
Message-ID:



Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"

Don't throw your expired embedded blocks in the trash. Some of them can be very 
valuable for research and antibody development. If you can provide a brief 
description of any positive block (no patient identifiers or names please), we 
will pay you top dollar to take them and send you all shipping labels and 
documents ahead of time so you can send your entire storage unit to us. We can 
provide certification that we will properly dispose of and be responsible for 
the blocks in our possession if our research partners find them of no use. For 
some specific positive tissues, a single block blocks can be worth over a 
hundred dollars to our partners.

Please contact us at contac...@springsidesci.com if interested.




--

Message: 5
Date: Thu, 12 Jan 2023 21:05:06 +
From: "Whitaker, Bonnie" 
To: "histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu"

Subject: Re: [Histonet] Expired Tissue Blocks
Message-ID:



Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

Caution to all--make sure your patients have signed consent forms that will 
include this use of their tissue.

Bonnie Whitaker
Ohio State University
AP Operations Director

614-293-8418

-Original Message-
From: Ken M via Histonet 
Sent: Thursday, January 12, 2023 3:44 PM
To: histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
Subject: [Histonet] Expired Tissue Blocks

External Email: CAUTION

Don't throw your expired embedded blocks in the trash. Some of them can be very 
valuable for research and antibody development. If you can provide a brief 
description of any positive block (no patient identifiers or names please), we 
will pay you top dollar to take them and send you all shipping labels and 
documents ahead of time so you can send your entire storage unit to us. We can 
provide certification that we will properly dispose of and be responsible for 
the bloc

Re: [Histonet] Leica Prisma problem

[Mayer,Toysha N via Histonet]

I would check the roller to see if it is making good contact and the slide 
holder track as well.  Not sure it that is what it is called, but where the 
slide is pushed under the roller.

Sincerely,


Toysha N. Mayer, DHSc, MBA, HT (ASCP)
Assistant Professor/Associate Program Director
HTL Program School of Health Professions
MD Anderson Cancer Center
tnma...@mdanderson.org
713-563-3481 wk
832-710-1837 cell


Message: 1
Date: Thu, 22 Sep 2022 08:55:33 -0700
From: "Paula" 
To: 
Subject: [Histonet] Leica Prisma problem
Message-ID: <003f01d8ce9b$c0dc85c0$42959140$@biopath.org>
Content-Type: text/plain;   charset="us-ascii"

Hello everyone,



We have the Leica Prisma film coverslipper and suddenly, there are bubbles 
underneath the film. I changed out the Xylene and inserted a new film roll but 
the problem persists.  Is there anything that you recommend to solve the 
problem?



Thank you in advance,

Paula Lucas

Lab Manager

Bio-Path Medical Group



--

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Re: [Histonet] Jones' Methenamine Silver Stain for Basement Membranes of Kidney - Issues and Questions

[Mayer,Toysha N via Histonet]

Hi Jordan,

So wow!  You are doing a Jones with an H&E.
What you are seeing is common when using a water bath and preheating.  While 
you can perform the stain with this many sections, I would start off with 1-3 
slides until you have perfected the technique.
I know that makes you have multiple runs, but you don't want to waste the 
tissue or have a lot of precipitate.
1. I would only preheat silver  for 5-10 min to avoid excess precipitation and 
agitate the solution before immersing your slides.
2. If you use the glass staining rack, make sure no excess water from the water 
bath gets in.
3. Rinse silver stains 6x with de-I or distilled water (my original trainers 
taught me that).
4. If you can, use an oven, not water bath to heat. Same temp settings as on 
the water bath.
5. No metal at all.  Use plastic hemostats and rinse them well between uses.
6. Mix your silver and methenemine first, then filter your sliver.  Add the 
borax sol'n just  before use, cut it down to 5ml.
7. The glomeruli take a long while to get to the point where they start to turn 
and they have to be dark.  Paper bag brown is the what we say.
8. Always use de-I after periodic acid.

When I teach this stain to students, we sometimes use the oven and sometimes 
the water bath.  The oven cuts down on the precip and we can agitate the slides 
better.  The gold chloride and hypo will help with the precip, but wipe the 
back and sides of the slides well between each change. Be careful not to push 
the solution back onto the section.
The new Carson's version uses 50 mL of methenamine silver (5% silver in 3% 
methenamine) and 5mL of Borax. It also uses 1% periodic. I was always taught 
that 0.5% would give me non-specific staining because it was not sensitive 
enough.  I trained using the formulation you did, but we also microwaved.  We 
were specifically animal where I trained, and I have the microwave procedure 
somewhere if you want.
Also, others mentioned the procedure on stainsfile.  It works as well. I taught 
that method for a few years as well.

Good luck and keep me posted.


Sincerely,


Toysha N. Mayer, DHSc, MBA, HT (ASCP)
Assistant Professor/Associate Program Director
HTL Program School of Health Professions
MD Anderson Cancer Center
tnma...@mdanderson.org
713-563-3481 wk
832-710-1837 cell








--

Message: 2
Date: Thu, 23 Sep 2021 19:49:52 +
From: "Hood, Jordan" 
To: "'histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu'"

Subject: [Histonet] Jones' Methenamine Silver Stain for Basement
Membranes of Kidney - Issues and Questions
Message-ID: <48bd31f00b074079baca10d963e1b...@med.umich.edu>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"

Hello,

I'm new to histology (and new to histonet), and I work in a small histology lab 
specializing in animal tissues that receives requests/submissions from 
researchers. I tried (and failed) to perform a Jones' Methenamine Silver stain 
on a client's submission of pig kidneys (formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded, cut 
at 2.5 microns), and I need some help troubleshooting this stain since my 
co-workers are stumped, too.  I used the following procedure from Rowley 
Biochemical:


~
"Fixation: 10% Buffered Neutral Formalin (F-113) or Bouin's Solution (F-40) or 
Zenker's (F-155)

Sections: Paraffin, 2 microns

Procedure: Acid washed glassware must be used
1. Deparaffinize and hydrate to distilled water.
2. Oxidize in Periodic Acid 0.5% (F-396-1) 11 minutes. Wash in chloride-free 
water.
3. Prepare Methenamine Silver solution by mixing: 42.5 ml Methenamine 3% 
(F-396-2), 2.5 ml Silver Nitrate, 5% (F-396-3) and 12.0 ml Borate Buffer, pH 
8.2 (F-396-4).
4. Place slides in the solution and the entire jar in a water bath at 70?C for 
approx. 60-75 minutes. Check under microscope when slides appear medium brown 
microscopically. Every 10 minutes, once the medium brown color has been 
established, rinse a slide in 70?C, chloride free water and check under a 
microscope. Rinse again in hot water and return to the hot staining solution. 
As the staining time approaches the end point, check the slides, as above, 
every 1-2 minutes. The entire procedure must be performed quickly to prevent an 
uneven staining of the tissues. The slides should exhibit a brownish- yellow 
background, intense black reticulum fibers, and black basement membranes. If 
the slides become oversaturated, i.e. too black, destain in a dilute Potassium 
Ferricyanide Solution (F-396-11) for one or two dips.
5. Rinse well in distilled water. Tone in Gold Chloride 0.2% (F-396-5), 1 
minute. If sections are overtoned place in Sodium Metabisulfite, 3% (F-396-12) 
for 1-3 minutes. Rinse well in distilled water.
6. Sodium Thiosulfate 3% (F-396-9), 1-2 miutes. Wash in running tap water, 10 
minutes. Rinse well in distilled water.
7. Stain in Harris' Hematoxylin (F-396-6) containing 2-4ml of Glacial Acetic 
Acid per 100 ml for 5-15 minutes. Wash in water.
8. Differentiate in Acid Alcohol 1% (F-396-13) u

Re: [Histonet] Movats

[Mayer,Toysha N via Histonet]

Hey Betsy,

It could also be the woodstain scarlet and the saffron.  I would omit the 5% 
acetic after the phosphotungstic. 
Take care,
Toysha Mayer

Message: 1
Date: Fri, 7 May 2021 22:11:30 +
From: John Kiernan 
To: "histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu"
,Betsy Molinari

Subject: Re: [Histonet] Movats
Message-ID:



Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"

Dear Betsy,

Don't say you are sorry for putting a long post on Histonet! To get 
troubleshooting help you need to say exactly what you did. If you wrote only, 
"why are my sections brown after Movat staining", nobody would understand your 
problem.

Your procedure starts with an hour in hot Bouin. For many years this has been a 
routine prior to trichrome stains done on sections of specimens fixed in 
neutral formaldehyde. It isn't part of Movat's original method (Arch. Path. 
60:209-295, 1955), which probably was devised for sections optimally fixed for 
trichrome staining (in mixtures containing mercuric chloride).

Movat's pentachrome is a trichrome method preceded by alcian blue (for no 
obvious reason) and an iron-haematoxylin for nuclei and elastin. It differs 
from older trichromes in using a mixture of yellow polyene dyes  (saffron) to 
stain the collagen, instead of the blues or greens as in the Mallory and Masson 
methods.

Your method includes "5% sodium thiosulfate -1 min" after the iron-haematoxylin 
stain for black nuclei and elastic fibres. This also isn't part of Movat's 
pentachrome method, and I wonder why. Did you inherit an informal list of 
instructions passed on within the lab?  After a mercuric fixative, hydrated 
sections are dipped in iodine, followed by thiosulphate, before staining, to 
remove a black deposit (probably mercurous chloride) introduced by the 
fixative.I've been seeing similar informal passing of bad staining instructions 
in research labs for many years.  Are you a victim of this trend?

The thiosulphate step in your procedure obviously does no harm, because you got 
the right results with the dog tissues. There may be something different about 
your human specimens: perhaps inadequate fixation, or excessive acid treatment 
(if that's what Cal rite is) for decalcification.

If the sections of human arteries look OK with a microscope, it might not 
matter that grossly they are a different colour from the dog small intestine 
sections. They are, after all, different tissues.

A rather long, and not very helpful reply!

John Kiernan
London, Canada
= = =

From: Betsy Molinari via Histonet 
Sent: May 5, 2021 9:46 AM
To: histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu 
Subject: [Histonet] Movats

Hi Histonetters,
I have received several human vessels for paraffin processing and to stain the 
sections for H&E and Movats. The H&E were fine. The human sections turned 
brownish yellow with the Movats.The control which is canine small intestine was 
perfect.
The protocol is standard
Bouins 1hr in 58C waterbath
Rinse till yellow disappears
Rinse in DH2O
1% Alcian Blue -20 min
Rinse in running tap H2O -5min
Alkaline alcohol-1hr
Rinse 10 min tap H2O
Rinse in DH2O
Verhoff's Hematoxylin -15 min
3 changes DH2O
Differentiate in 2% FeCl
Rinse in DH2O
5% sodium Thiosulfate -1min
Rinse in running tap-10 min
Rinse in DH2O
Woodstain scarlet/acid fuchsin-1.5 min
Rinse in DH2O
Rinse in 0.5% acetic acid water
5% aqueous phosphotungstic acid -2 changes 5 min each Rinse in 5% acetic acid 
water Rinse in 3 changes absolute ETOH 6% alcoholic  Safran solution Absolute 
alcohol-xylene-coverslip The human slides were fine until the Safran step. When 
I removed them from the stain into the 100% they were a yellowish brown .Under 
the scope the colors were there, blue, red, yellow and black. But on the slide 
the tissue was that brownish yellow. The researcher does not like to strong 
yellow color. Since my control was fine I question if something was going on 
with their tissue. I do not know how the tissue was handled before it came into 
the lab. They were very calcified and were decaled for 1-3 days in Cal Rite. I 
do know they were not rinsed after decal and were put straight back into 10% 
NBF before I got them for processing.
Should I have used a human control instead of canine?  These were very large 
pieces that were crammed into the cassette.
Thanks for the help. Sorry for the long post.
Betsy Molinari HT(ASCP)
Texas Heart Institute
Cardiovascular Pathology
1101 Bates St.
Houston,TX
832-355=6524 (lab)
832-355-6812 (fax)



Betsy Molinari, HT (ASCP)
Sr. Histology Research Technician
CV Pathology Research

Texas Heart Institute
6770 Bertner Avenue, MC 1-283
Houston, TX 77030

Office: 832-355-6524 | Fax: 832-355-6812
Email: bmolin...@texasheart.org
texasheart.org | 
texasheartmedical.org

Re: [Histonet] HT/HTL BOC application

[Mayer,Toysha N via Histonet]

Hi Jay,

It did not take the full 45 days for my students when they applied in June.  
But those who applied later did have to wait longer than those who applied 
earlier.  I don't any of them took 45 days though.  It may just be the review 
of your submitted information.

Toysha



Message: 1
Date: Sat, 12 Sep 2020 17:18:13 +
From: "Jayasri Narasimhan" 
To: "histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu"

Subject: [Histonet] HT/HTL BOC application?
Message-ID: 
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

Hi Everyone,

I applied to Route 2 of the HTL exam - submitted around August 20th. Has anyone 
applied for exams this year? Will it really take the full 45 days (or longer) 
or were you qualified sooner than that? I understand with the epidemic 
everything is going to take longer. I'm trying not to sound impatient - just 
curious!

Also, I want to thank everyone who has participated in histonet over the years. 
I came into histology by chance, but it's now my life. The posts on here have 
been a lifesaver and I'm so lucky to learn from the experience of you all who 
have been working in histology - whether it's been 20 years or two. Stay safe 
and keep well!


Jay N  - Research Assistant 2
OHSU




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Re: [Histonet] Air pocket in paraffin blocks

[Mayer,Toysha N via Histonet]

Vikki,

I teach students that they should not have any air bubbles in their blocks.  
This means those under the lip of the cassette as well as surrounding the 
tissues.  Air bubbles can cause instability in the block especially if the 
tissue is hard or very small.  When they go to a clinical rotation no preceptor 
checks their blocks as closely as I do, but they can get a 'perfect' block 
without much effort.  Our tissues and cassettes have mostly been donated, so 
the quality may not be as optimal as that in a clinical lab, so if they can get 
a good block embedded with me, they can do it anywhere.
It is actually a scored item on our graded checklist, along with the overall 
embedded time.  
You might want to do an in-service on air bubbles and give them a CEU for it.  

Hope this helps.

Toysha N. Mayer D.H.Sc., MBA, HT(ASCP)
Assistant Professor/Associate Program Director
HTL Program
MD Anderson School of Health Professions
713.563.3481
tnma...@mdanderson.org



Message: 1
Date: Fri, 22 Feb 2019 18:32:41 +
From: "deGuzman, Jose R" 
To: Victoria Baker ,
"histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu"

Subject: 
Message-ID:



Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8"

Hello Vikki,

What you are experiencing is the lack of quality feedback. The "experienced" 
techs may have never been told that their quality needs to improve due to 
complacency or management is afraid they might leave. This gets worse if they 
have gotten away with producing poor quality for a long time and nobody has 
provided much needed feedback to them. You may have an uphill battle ahead of 
you but very much worth taking.

Jose

-Original Message-
From: Victoria Baker 
Sent: Thursday, February 21, 2019 5:49 PM
To: histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
Subject: [Histonet] Air pocket in paraffin blocks

Hi,

When I was trained to do embedding there were many things that the professor 
stressed to me need to be done in order to have the tissue block acceptable for 
sectioning.  One of these was air bubbles.

Recently we had a new tech embed a derm block that had an bubble that was 
pretty big.  The other (experienced) techs didn't think anything of it either 
and sectioned it.  When I got the block for IHC screening I made a QA form 
stating that the block should have been re-embedded before giving it to be 
sectioned, or when the first tech sectioned it could have repaired the block or 
melted it down.  This air bubble was big enough to be seen so I don't think it 
could have been missed - unless the block wasn't checked right after embedding.

What has me a little upset is that no one seemed to care about this.

I would really appreciate some feedback about this from other people.

Thanks in advance.

Vikki


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Re: [Histonet] What would your advice be for a New Grad? I speak

[Mayer,Toysha N via Histonet]

Pam,

My advice would be to remember that they should first master their entry-level 
competencies before focusing on advanced techniques.  The ability to master 
those techniques prove invaluable when taking the BOC and maintaining 
employment.


Toysha N. Mayer D.H.Sc., MBA, HT(ASCP)
Assistant Professor/Education Coordinator
HTL Program
MD Anderson School of Health Professions
713.563.3481
tnma...@mdanderson.org







Message: 2
Date: Mon, 5 Nov 2018 11:18:41 -0500
From: "Pam Barker" 
To: "Histonetters Histonet" 
Subject: [Histonet] What would your advice be for a New Grad? I speak
to aclass on Thursday!
Message-ID: <01d501d47523$37a5b9a0$a6f12ce0$@earthlink.net>
Content-Type: text/plain;   charset="iso-8859-1"

Dear Histonetters,
I hope this is the start to a fantastic week! 

I want to take this opportunity to thank everyone who responded for their 
fantastic ideas for promoting the histology field.  

Thursday morning I will be speaking to a group of histotechs getting ready to 
head out to their externships and then into their first jobs in the field.  

My question to you is if you had one piece of advice for them what would it be?

Rather than send another email later this week let me take a minute and tell 
you about the opportunities I am working on that I am most excited about.
I am excited about these opportunities because all of these positions are full 
time, permanent and offer excellent compensation, benefits and relocation 
assistance.  Most are DAY SHIFT!!!
They are ready to interview and hire NOW and you can start now or AFTER the 
Holidays!!

Without Further Ado here are the exciting opportunities I am currently 
recruiting for:


Histology Leadership Opportunities:
Fayetteville, NC

Histology Territory Sales Manager
Texas
OH

Histotechnician/Histotechnologist ? DAYS Austin, TX Springfield, MA 
Fayetteville, NC Norfolk, VA

Histonetters, if you or anyone you know are interested in hearing more about 
any of these opportunities or have another type of position or area in mind and 
would like some help in your job search please let me know.  Just shoot me an 
e-mail at rel...@earthlink.net or give me a call toll free at
866-607-3542 or on my cell at 407-353-5070.  


And if you have a second I would love to hear what you would like the new grads 
to know.  Thanks again!!!






Thanks-Pam

Right Place, Right Time, Right Move with RELIA!

Thank You!
?Pam M. Barker
?
Pam Barker
President/Senior Recruiting Specialist-Histology RELIA Solutions Specialists in 
Allied Healthcare Recruiting
5703 Red Bug Lake Road #330
Winter Springs, FL 32708-4969
Phone: (407)657-2027
Cell: (407)353-5070
FAX: (407)678-2788
E-mail: rel...@earthlink.net
www.facebook.com/PamBarkerRELIA
www.linkedin.com/in/reliasolutions
www.twitter.com/pamatrelia 









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Re: [Histonet] PAS Stain

[Mayer,Toysha N via Histonet]

Laurie,

The warm water helps the color of the Schiff develop in a more vibrant pattern. 
 If you allow the slides to sit in warm water for 2 min, then rinse you also do 
not have to use the metabisulfite rinses to remove excess stain.

Toysha N. Mayer D.H.Sc., MBA, HT(ASCP)
Assistant Professor/Education Coordinator
HTL Program
MD Anderson School of Health Professions
713.563.3481
tnma...@mdanderson.org









--

Message: 3
Date: Mon, 5 Nov 2018 16:44:23 + (UTC)
From: Laurie Redmond 
To: histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
Subject: [Histonet] PAS Stain
Message-ID: <1715295197.1084926.1541436263...@mail.yahoo.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8

Does anyone else out there use warm water to rinse the PAS slides after the 
Schiff's reagent?? Can anyone comment on whether using warm water vs. cold 
water would have any affect on the stain?
Laurie Redmond HT (ASCP)

--

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Re: [Histonet] Masson's Trichrome Troubleshooting

[Mayer,Toysha N via Histonet]

Tasha,

Are you using the PolySci kit k037?  Did they change the formulation of the 
Bouins?  They do make one that has no picric acid, and doesn't last long.  If 
so, add a some saturated picric acid to the Bouins to see if that helps.
Are you using the Bouins again after microwaving?  If so, that may be your 
problem.  
Don't re-use the Phosphotungstic/phosphomolybdic acid, more than 2x.  It sets 
and diff's the red.

After the Anile blue, is the tissue blue?  If not, then it's the ppa/pma is the 
problem.  
Use the acetic acid more sparingly.  That diff's the blue some and can take 
more of it out.  I do it by sight.  Carson's says 3-5 min, but that is way too 
long.
We don't air dry, but that wouldn't take out the blue.  
Let me know if this helps.


Toysha N. Mayer D.H.Sc., MBA, HT(ASCP)
Instructor/Education Coordinator
HTL Program
MD Anderson School of Health Professions
713.563.3481
tnma...@mdanderson.org


--

Message: 2
Date: Wed, 30 May 2018 12:15:22 +
From: "Campbell, Tasha M." 
To: "histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu"

Subject: [Histonet] Masson's Trichrome Troubleshooting
Message-ID:

Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

Hello all,

I am having issues with my trichrome stain and I am about to lose my mind!  We 
just started doing it in house (although at my previous job I had done 
trichrome by hand for years so I am not a stranger to it. And I never had 
issues with it).  When I brought it in house at my current lab, I ordered the 
same kit that I was familiar with.  Its PolySci.  I did the stain about 5 or 6 
times and then all the sudden it quit working.  There was red where it should 
be blue.  And there was blue staining but it was all in the crypts.   I tried 
tweaking the stain a few times and nothing worked so I got a new kit.  The 
first 2 times I used the new kit, it worked perfect!  But after that it is back 
to doing the same thing again!  The collagen is not staining blue.  It is 
staining red.  Can anyone please tell me why this is happening?  I never had 
this issue before!  Thanks in advance!! See my protocol below.

1. Mordant in Bouin's solution, microwave 5 minutes, allow to stand 15 minutes.
 2. Wash in running tap water to remove the picric acid, 5 minutes.
 3. Weigert's Working Hematoxylin, 10 minutes.
 4. Blue in running tap water for 5 minutes, rinse in distilled water.
 5. Biebrich scarlet for 5 minutes.
 6. Rinse in distilled water.
 7. Phosphotungstic/phosphomolybdic acid for 10 minutes.
 8. Transfer directly into Aniline blue for 5 minutes.
 9. Rinse in distilled water.
10. 1% Acetic acid for 1 minute.
11. Quick rinse and air dry.
12. Coverslip




Tasha Campbell, B.S.,HTL(ASCP)
Frederick Gastroenterology Associates
310 W. 9th St.
Frederick, MD 21701
301-695-6800 ext. 144





--

Message: 5
Date: Wed, 30 May 2018 15:47:39 +0200
From: "Dr. Michael Gudo (Morphisto GmbH)" 
To: "Campbell, Tasha M." 
Cc: "histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu"

Subject: Re: [Histonet] Masson's Trichrome Troubleshooting
Message-ID: <5661355a-5f32-46eb-9f53-79fc9e494...@morphisto.de>
Content-Type: text/plain;   charset=utf-8

Dear Tasha,

well, I think you should modify your protocol:

(1) don?t use microwave
(2) wash in ethanol after Bouin and not in water (70 - 80 %)
(3) tap water as long as Weigert working solution
(4) Bieberich Scarlet is not the correct stain for Masson, you should use Acid 
fuchsine + Ponceau 2R + Azophloxine
(5) use a higher concentration of phosphortungstic acid, or / and least leave 
the sections much longer, up to 30 minutes in this step
(6) do not ?air dry?, but remove water with ethanol and ethanol with xylene, 
then you should get very nice results.

Well, and finally, if you allow I would like to offer you the Masson Kit / 
Masson Goldner Kit our company offers for quite brilliant stainings: 

https://webshop.morphisto.de/catalogsearch/result/?q=Kit+MASSON+trichrom 


Please do not hesitate to contact us, if you have any further questions.

With best regards
Michael




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Re: [Histonet] The Use of Plants in Histology Laboratories (Mickley, Beth)

[Mayer,Toysha N via Histonet]

Beth,

We sure could have used the actual article in a lab I know of.  The person with 
the highest authority, removed them from a lab, and did not want to listen to 
what the supervisor had to say.  Without the actual article, nothing could 
change her mind.
It is common to have spider plants, and ivy in labs to help with the air 
quality. 
Now the EHS departments need to know about it as well.

Toysha

Message: 1
Date: Mon, 13 Nov 2017 20:24:31 +
From: "Mickley, Beth" 
To: "histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu"

Subject: [Histonet] The Use of Plants in Histology Laboratories
Message-ID: <1510604671172.29...@urmc.rochester.edu>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="Windows-1252"

I found this great article about plants used in laboratories:

Plants That Can Clean Up Your Indoor Air

Plants clean indoor air in two ways?by absorbing contaminants through pores on 
the leaves, and by metabolizing contaminants through organisms living in the 
soil. In fact, plants are so effective that some stores, like Lowe?s and Home 
Depot, are starting to label the most effective ones with tags. 

Though it seems most plants will benefit indoor air, the following are those 
that have been shown in scientific studies and shown to work. These plants can 
also help maintain humidity levels and remove mold spores and bacteria from the 
air. 
1.Spider Plant: formaldehyde, xylene and toluene.
2.Golden Pothos: benzene, formaldehyde, trichloroethylene, xylene and toluene.
3.Snake Plant (Mother-in-Law?s Tongue): benzene, formaldehyde, 
trichloroethylene, xylene and toluene.
4.Bamboo Palm or Reed Palm: formaldehyde, xylene, and toluene.
5.Chinese Evergreen: benzene, formaldehyde.
6.Peace Lily: benzene, formaldehyde, trichloroethylene, xylene, toluene, and 
ammonia.
7.English Ivy: mold and mildew, formaldehyde, benzene, xylene, and toluene.
8.Gerbera Daisies: benzene, formaldehyde, trichloroethylene.
9.Red-Edged Dracaena (Dracaena Marginata): benzene, formaldehyde, 
trichloroethylene, xylene, and toluene. 
10.Warneck Dracaena: benzene, trichloroethylene, xylene, and toluene.
11.Weeping Fig: formaldehyde, xylene, and toluene.
12.Chrysanthemum: formaldehyde, benzene, trichloroethylene, xylene, toluene, 
and ammonia.
13.Boston fern: formaldehyde, xylene and toluene.
14.Philodendron: formaldehyde.


Beth Geer, HT
Mohs Surgery
University Dermatology Associates
Rochester, NY



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Re: [Histonet] Metal embedding molds-large (Diane Satterfield)

[Mayer,Toysha N via Histonet]

You could boil molds in soapy water, cool, remove paraffin, rinse and dry.
You could place them in the processor on the clean cycle.
You could soak them in xylene, rinse in 100% etoh.
Milestone has a paraffin removal instrument that can be used as well.  We just 
got one for our student lab and it is wonderful.  

Toysha Mayer


-Original Message-
From: histonet-requ...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu 
[mailto:histonet-requ...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu] 
Sent: Thursday, November 09, 2017 12:00 PM
To: histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
Subject: Histonet Digest, Vol 168, Issue 8

Send Histonet mailing list submissions to
histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu

To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit
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When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific than "Re: 
Contents of Histonet digest..."


Today's Topics:

   1. NK Cell markers for Mouse in Paraffin (Amy Porter)
   2. Metal embedding molds-large (Diane Satterfield)
   3. Re: Metal embedding molds-large (Jay Lundgren)
   4. Re: Metal embedding molds-large (Bryan Llewellyn)
   5. Re: Metal embedding molds-large (Bryan Llewellyn)
   6. Re: Metal embedding molds-large (Caroline Miller)
   7. Re: Elastic Stain (Caroline Miller)
   8. Chrome Alum slides picking up eosin non specifically?
  (Kathleen S Cormier)


--

Message: 1
Date: Wed, 8 Nov 2017 13:53:37 -0500
From: "Amy Porter" 
To: 
Subject: [Histonet] NK Cell markers for Mouse in Paraffin
Message-ID: <001301d358c2$e2c000d0$a8400270$@edu>
Content-Type: text/plain;   charset="us-ascii"

Hi all - anyone out there have an antibody that they like for NK Cells in a 
mouse model - I am trying to work with a mouse monoclonal (MOM) with polymer 
technology.  Looking for assistance from labs that have established protocols.  
We have tried enzymatic and heat retrieval ..not getting good results.  Any 
comments would be appreciated - willing to change antibody vendors 

currently using clone PK136.  Thanks - Amy

 

Amy S. Porter, HT (ASCP) 

Michigan State University - Department of Physiology

Investigative HistoPathology Lab - Supervisor 

Research Core Support Facility

567 Wilson Road - Room 2201

East Lansing, MI  48824-6458

517-884-5026

port...@msu.edu

 



--

Message: 2
Date: Wed, 8 Nov 2017 19:42:09 +
From: Diane Satterfield 
To: "'histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu'"

Subject: [Histonet] Metal embedding molds-large
Message-ID:



Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

We are using large metal molds to embed mouse brains.  We are having a hard 
time getting to block out of the molds, the paraffin blocks are sticking.  
Sometimes they are coming out cracked.  Sometimes the cassette comes off the 
paraffin block.  Any idea why this is happening? Any advice on how to fix this 
problem?


Diane L. Satterfield, BS
Manager Brain Tumor BioRepository
Research Program Leader
Duke University Medical Center
Brain Tumor Center Biorepository and Database

diane.satterfi...@duke.edu
office  919-684-4642
pager  919-970-7328
fax  919-684-4975

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information is not to be forwarded to or shared unless in compliance with Duke 
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--

Message: 3
Date: Wed, 8 Nov 2017 12:23:58 -0800
From: Jay Lundgren 
To: Diane Satterfield 
Cc: "histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu"

Subject: Re: [Histonet] Metal embedding molds-large
Message-ID:

Content-Type: text/plain; charset="UTF-8"

mold release


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On Wed, Nov 8, 2017 at 11:42 AM, Diane Satterfield via Histonet < 
histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu> wrote:

> We are using large metal molds to embed mouse brains.  We are having a 
> hard time getting to block out of the molds, the paraffin blocks are 
> sticking.  Sometimes they are coming out cracked.  Sometimes the 
> cassette comes off the paraffin block.  Any idea why this 

[Histonet] H&E stain protocols

[Mayer,Toysha N via Histonet]

We have a few questions to ask:
In your H&E protocols, what is your set up after eosin: 70, 95, 100, 100, 
xylene  x 3or 95, 100, 100, 100, xylene x 3, or another variation?
What brand of hematoxylin do you use? Eosin?
Do you filter daily or at all? Eosin?
How often do you change the hematoxylin? Eosin?
Do you start with manufacturer suggestions for filtering and changing? 
Protocols? 
Carson says one thing, Bancroft something else, and the manufacturer different. 
I was taught 80, eosin, 70, 95, 100, 100, xylene x 3.
We filtered on Wednesday, and changed and filtered on Monday. 
This was homemade dyes though.
When we switched to Richard Allan we no longer filtered when we changed and 
then only when a sheen showed up, usually Monday's. The reason was Richard 
Allan does not require filtering.  

Thanks,
Toysha


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Re: [Histonet] Histology Shortage

[Mayer,Toysha N via Histonet]

In areas where there are schools, usually there is no shortage.  Like here in 
Houston, we have 2 programs so no shortage.
In other areas it is challenging to find a tech.
Canada does not seem to have a shortage (that I have heard of), but I know that 
it can be hard for areas in the Caribbean to find techs.
I encourage my students to check the job boards frequently and be willing to 
relocate.  I know I would if I were younger and had no husband or kids.

Toysha

Today's Topics:

   1. Histology Shortage? (Cassie P. Davis)


--

Message: 1
Date: Fri, 18 Aug 2017 13:38:47 +
From: "Cassie P. Davis" 
To: histonet 
Subject: [Histonet] Histology Shortage?
Message-ID: <4e0529171f6941ebb58a4be0093f9...@che-east.org>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"


I am not sure about overseas but the New Castle County does not have a 
shortage. There is a school in Delaware that gradutes 5-6 students a year.

Cassandra Davis
Histology Technician
AP Laboratory
302-575-8095
Email:  cda...@che-east.org



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Re: [Histonet] UV light for von Kossa

[Mayer,Toysha N via Histonet]

Michael,

We just use one of the small desk lamps at a cutting station, the back of the 
embedder, and foil to reflect.  It works great.  Just place the coplin jar with 
the slides on top of the control panel of the embedder.  Adjust the lamp to the 
top of the jar and wrap it in foil.  The heat penetrates and is reflected. 
Voila, a von Kossa.
Toysha



Message: 3
Date: Fri, 28 Jul 2017 14:25:01 -0400
From: Michael Kent 
To: histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
Subject: [Histonet] UV light for von Kossa
Message-ID: <2c562a902723b33a4e73859c01ab3...@mail.gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="UTF-8"

Hi Histonet,

I am looking for a cost-effective UV light for von Kossa staining.  The clouds 
are getting tin the way.

Thank you, and have a god weekend.

Mike


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Re: [Histonet] Fungus controls

[Mayer,Toysha N via Histonet]

We got some organisms from the microbiology lab and some fresh lung from 
autopsy.  When the organisms were ready, we 'stuck' the lung with the 
inoculating loop and let them incubate for a few days.  Then we grossed and 
processed the lung.  We were given separate specimens for GMs, AFB, and gram.  
It worked great.
If you don't have lung, some liver from the grocery store would work.  We let 
that sit in the refrigerator for about two weeks, then did touch preps to see 
if anything was growing.
It had fungus galore in the touch prep.  We used that to teach students how to 
stain touch preps with specials.

Toysha

Message: 3
Date: Mon, 24 Jul 2017 09:48:16 -0400
From: Charles Riley 
To: Histo List 
Subject: [Histonet] Fungus Controls
Message-ID:

Content-Type: text/plain; charset="UTF-8"

Does anyone grow their own fungus control blocks for GMS and AFB stains?

If so would you mind sharing your procedure for doing so. I tried using rotten 
oranges but the sample wouldn't hold onto the counterstain.

-- 

Charles Riley BS  HT, HTL(ASCP)CM

Histopathology Coordinator/ Mohs


--

Message: 4
Date: Mon, 24 Jul 2017 08:11:40 -0700
From: Akemi 
To: Charles Riley ,   Histonet

Subject: Re: [Histonet] Fungus Controls
Message-ID: <6e924300-3ba1-4271-9b8a-8e3d9c754...@gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain;   charset=us-ascii

I've been told by one of my pathologists that blue cheese for a fungus control 
would work.
Akemi Allison

Sent from my iPhone

> On Jul 24, 2017, at 6:48 AM, Charles Riley via Histonet 
>  wrote:
> 
> Does anyone grow their own fungus control blocks for GMS and AFB stains?
> 
> If so would you mind sharing your procedure for doing so. I tried 
> using rotten oranges but the sample wouldn't hold onto the counterstain.
> 
> --
> 
> Charles Riley BS  HT, HTL(ASCP)CM
> 
> Histopathology Coordinator/ Mohs
> ___
> Histonet mailing list
> Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
> http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet



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Re: [Histonet] Blood donations for money

[Mayer,Toysha N via Histonet]

Well I 'sold' my plasma in the early 1990's.  I was in college and needed the 
money for gas and such.
When I went to donate my blood, I was suspected of having Hep C, so I stopped 
selling my plasma and retested fine.
The instruments looked clean, and there was no debris in the parking lot.  But 
this was a college town area, so it was pretty busy.
Not sure what happened to the place, but it was a big help when my funds were 
low.

Toysha


Message: 1
Date: Sun, 23 Jul 2017 13:51:28 -0400
From: Bob Richmond 
To: "Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu"

Subject: Re: [Histonet] Blood donations for money
Message-ID:

Content-Type: text/plain; charset="UTF-8"

Jorge A. Santiago-Blay, PhD asks about blood donation for money. I suppose he's 
in the US. I don't think there's any paid donation of whole blood in the US any 
more. This is probably a plasmapheresis center, where people donate twice a 
week. The red blood cells are returned to the donor. Two cycles of this are 
usually done at a session.

Many, though not all, plasma donors are pretty sleazy people. I'd ask the 
plasma center first, then complain to local authorities about it. Most of these 
plasma centers are franchise operations, and you could complain to their 
managers also.

Most plasma products (derivatives) can be sterilized so they don't transmit 
viruses. Or so we hope.

Bob Richmond
Samurai Pathologist
Maryville TN
**

> Close to where I leave, there is an establishment for blood "donations".
> Apparently, the establishment pays per donation. I hypothesize that 
> the money explains why the place is generally "hopping" (today, ca. 
> 8:30AM, there were ca, 25-30 cars parked in front of the 
> establishment; Sunday mornings, same story). Regularly, I see trash 
> out of the store (incl. blood splatter marks on the sidewalk, gauze, etc.).
>
> Can someone tell me:
> 1. Where can one find information of the internal operations of 
> establishments like this?
>
> 2. Where can one report concerns about establishments like this?
>
> 3. More broadly, how can anyone *scientifically* tell whether the 
> blood "donated" at those (or any other) establishments is "safe" for 
> use by other humans?
>
> Jorge A. Santiago-Blay, PhD
> blaypublishers.com
>
>


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Re: [Histonet] . Dako Artisan VS. Ventana Benchmark speical stainer

[Mayer,Toysha N via Histonet]

The Dako is easier and provides better quality.  It allows for more user input 
and if it goes down, the stains can be completed easily due to the reagent 
packs.
The Ventana, in my opinion is for the more novice user.  Inexperienced techs, 
with a mid level volume can easily operate this unit.  It is not as easy to 
complete the stain if the instrument goes down and requires a lot of 
maintenance.

Toysha


From: Miranda Giorgi 
To: "histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu"

Subject: [Histonet] Dako Artisan VS. Ventana Benchmark speical stainer
Message-ID: 
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

Hello,

Our lab is currently evaluating the Benchmark Special Stainer from Ventana and 
we are finding the stain quality and consistency to be lacking, especially the 
retic and trichrome.  While we have the opportunity, we would like to consider 
an alternative platform, the Dako Artisan.  Has anyone used one or both of 
these plans?  If so, can you provide any feedback on your experience, including 
any pros or cons?

Any feedback is very much appreciated as we do not want to be stuck with an 
instrument that is not going to work.

Thanks in advance!

Miranda Giorgi, HTL (ASCP)cm
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Re: [Histonet] Techniques of histotechnicians

[Mayer,Toysha N via Histonet]

One technique I use to cut uterus is to face the blocks at room temp, or even a 
little warmer.  Then I place them on my ice tray and allow them to chill and 
soak up a lot of water. Then they are cut last in my set.  This allows them to 
"cut like butter".  My micrometer is set at 3, not 4, and I get nice thin, 
smooth sections.  No chatter, or swiss cheese.  It works really great when 
there are fibroids, because then knife goes through with less resistance.

Toysha Mayer

Message: 1
Date: Sun, 11 Jun 2017 17:11:56 +
From: Michael Backhus 
To: "histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu"

Subject: [Histonet] Techniques of histotechnicians
Message-ID:



Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

Would anybody like to share their histology techniques learned over the years?  
An example would be putting alcohol in the water bath to keep out wrinkles.  
Another could be as simple as blowing on a block while cutting with a 
microtome.  I love learning new techniques.  They can be common simple 
practices or uniques techniques that techs may not know.

Thank you
Mike HT ASCP

Sent from my iPhone


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Re: [Histonet] Histology Manager - Technical Supervisor (Vickroy, James)

[Mayer,Toysha N via Histonet]

Jim,

HT/HTL certification, education level (just because someone has an HT doesn't 
mean they have a degree), minimum experience, supervisory or mgt experience, 
and intermediate computer knowledge.  Graduation of an approved program is not 
necessary, if they hold HT/HTL cert.  CLIA eligible to gross is good as well.

Toysha



--

Message: 5
Date: Thu, 11 May 2017 15:59:51 +
From: "Vickroy, James" 
To: "histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu"

Subject: [Histonet] Histology Manager -  Technical Supervisor
Message-ID:
<9b1a1501a800064397369bd8072e6bca6d4ad...@e2k10db.springfieldclinic.com>

Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

We are reviewing the requirements in a job description for Histology Manager of 
a multi-specialty clinic.  I am retiring next year and we are wanting to make 
sure that we have a good succession plan.   With the dwindling number of 
certified HT's and HTL's and lack of CAP requirements to perform histology 
functions we are wondering how to list requirements for this position.   I 
still believe a manager/supervisor should have a certification (HT or even HTL 
) along with some years of histotech experience.Can someone enlighten me if 
there are specific CAP requirements for a Histology supervisor and how are 
others handling these positions?

Jim

Jim Vickroy
Histology Manager
Springfield Clinic, Main Campus, East Building
1025 South 6th Street
Springfield, Illinois  62703
Office:  217-528-7541, Ext. 15121
Email:  jvick...@springfieldclinic.com



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Re: [Histonet] . Refurbished Leica RM2135

[Mayer,Toysha N via Histonet]

Sandra,

On some holders you can easily convert back and forth from low to high.  If 
your service person does not know anything about that, I would ask Leica.  
Specifically ask for a tech rep with the most microtome experience (in years).  
That person should be able to tell you what part you need.  They may even have 
an old one lying around for you.
Also check with some of the more established labs in your area, they may have a 
blade holder that you can get for parts.

Toysha Mayer




Message: 2
Date: Tue, 02 May 2017 14:10:05 +
From: Sandra Cheasty 
To: "Histonet (histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu)"

Subject: [Histonet] Refurbished Leica RM2135
Message-ID:



Content-Type: text/plain; CHARSET=US-ASCII

Hi everyone,
I have a newly refurbished Leica RM2135 at my disposal, but the 
knife holder is for high profile blades. 2 questions.
1-Is it that different using high-profile blades vs. low. (I have used 
low-profile blades forever.) 2-There is a slot on the bottom of the blade 
holder, and I seem to remember that it can be converted to a low-profile holder 
by sliding an narrow metal strip into that slot. I know I've done this before, 
but it was long ago, and the used equipment guy says there's no such thing.

Thank you!
Sandy

Sandra J. Cheasty, HT (ASCP)
Histology & Necropsy Supervisor
UW-Madison, School of Veterinary Medicine



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Re: [Histonet] . Peloris II Tissue Processor

[Mayer,Toysha N via Histonet]

Charles,
The Peloris is great!  
The advantages is that it is very user friendly.  You can run two different 
protocols at the same time, due to the dual retorts.  It conserves reagents, 
because it calculates based on the number of cassettes you tell it you ran.  It 
automatically rotates the reagents.  We also had a battery backup in case of 
emergencies.
Disadvantages are if you have a low to moderate workload, it may be too costly. 
 It is very large in my opinion, so you need more floor space than other 
processors.  The maintenance plan is well worth its large price.
The lab I worked at during Hurricane Ike in Houston did not have their 
instrument on a 'red plug', so our processor stopped in the middle of the run.  
Leica got to us within a week.  Any other time they were able to help us within 
a day or so.
On a scale of 1 to 5, I give the Peloris a 5.





--

Message: 3
Date: Thu, 27 Apr 2017 08:57:21 -0400
From: Charles Riley 
To: histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
Subject: [Histonet] Peloris II Tissue Processor
Message-ID:

Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8

Does anyone use the Peloris II processor from Leica. We are looking to purchase 
and I want some background information

1. What are its advantages?

2. What are the disadvantages?

3. Have you experience any technical issue/downtime and how quickly did Leica 
respond to fix the problem?

4. On a scale of 1 to 5 with 5 being the best how would you compare it to other 
processors you have used before?

Any help would greatly be appreciated
-- 

Charles Riley HT, HTL(ASCP)CM

Histopathology Coordinator/ Mohs


--

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Re: [Histonet] processor died overnight

[Mayer,Toysha N via Histonet]

To help this you could place the cassettes in the other processor in the last 
100% for about 5 min, just to freshen them up.  Then proceed with the remainder 
of the process as usual.  

FYI, this will be one of our discussion questions this year in our HTL program.

T
Toysha N. Mayer D.H.Sc., MBA, HT(ASCP)
Instructor/Education Coordinator
HTL Program
MD Anderson School of Health Professions
713.563.3481
tnma...@mdanderson.org





Hello Histoworld,

I came in this morning to find that the processor died halfway through process 
last night. The tissues are in 100% ETOH exactly half point. We do have a back- 
up processor. In your professional experiences, would these tissues be 
salvageable? Could I create a new program on the backup processor that finishes 
the process from that point and transfer the tissues over?

Thanks.






--

Message: 5
Date: Wed, 19 Apr 2017 13:41:47 + (UTC)
From: Rene J Buesa 
To: Lauren Sweeney ,
"histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu"

Subject: Re: [Histonet] processor died overnight
Message-ID: <174147213.3806623.1492609307...@mail.yahoo.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8

In 100% EthOL the tissues are completely "salvaged" and you can prepare the 
program to continue the steps until melted paraffin.If there are delicate 
tissue perhaps they will be "over-dried" but that is easily "compensated" 
during microtomy.Ren? 

On Wednesday, April 19, 2017 9:01 AM, Lauren Sweeney via Histonet 
 wrote:
 

 Hello Histoworld,

I came in this morning to find that the processor died halfway through process 
last night. The tissues are in 100% ETOH exactly half point. We do have a back- 
up processor. In your professional experiences, would these tissues be 
salvageable? Could I create a new program on the backup processor that finishes 
the process from that point and transfer the tissues over?

Thanks.


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--

Message: 6
Date: Wed, 19 Apr 2017 16:11:51 +
From: "Terri  Braud" 
To: "'histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu'"

Subject: Re: [Histonet] IF vs IHC another reason
Message-ID:
<48E053DDF6CE074DB6A7414BA05403F8130EAF@HRHEX03-HOS.holyredeemer.local>

Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"


Another reason that IHC is used instead of IF is with IHC, one preserves the 
ability to see tissue/cell morphology through Light Microscopy at the same time 
as the visual IHC label.  Morphology is difficult to see with IF, with the 
exception of the fluorescein labeled area.

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
-Original Message-
From: Blanca Lopez via Histonet [mailto:histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu]
Sent: Thursday, 13 April 2017 11:10 PM
Hello!
I just need a help with a simple question...Is anyone can explain me what is 
the purpose between performing immunohistochemistry and Immunofluorescence?
Thanks  :)
Blanca Lopez
Histotech (ASCP)
UTSW Tissue Resource K1.210
Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center
UT Southwestern Medical Center
Telephone: 214-648-7598
Email: blanca.lo...@utsouthwestern.edu





--

Message: 7
Date: Wed, 19 Apr 2017 09:17:24 -0700
From: Caroline Miller 
To: Rene J Buesa 
Cc: Lauren Sweeney ,
"histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu"

Subject: Re: [Histonet] processor died overnight
Message-ID: <6156911d-ede8-4c77-9c6d-36ba64baf...@3scan.com>
Content-Type: text/plain;   charset=utf-8

Yes, totally +1 to Rene, they should be fine. 
(That has totally happened to me too)!

Caroline Miller (mills)
Director of Histology
3Scan, Inc
415-2187297

> On Apr 19, 2017, at 6:41 AM, Rene J Buesa via Histonet 
>  wrote:
> 
> In 100% EthOL the tissues are completely "salvaged" and you can prepare the 
> program to continue the steps until melted paraffin.If there are delicate 
> tissue perhaps they will be "over-dried" but that is easily "compensated" 
> during microtomy.Ren? 
> 
>On Wednesday, April 19, 2017 9:01 AM, Lauren Sweeney via Histonet 
>  wrote:
> 
> 
> Hello Histoworld,
> 
> I came in this morning to find that the processor died halfway through 
> process last night. The tissues are in 100% ETOH exactly half point. We do 
> have a back- up processor. In your professional experiences, would these 
> tissues be salvageable? Could I create a new program on the backup processor 
> that finishes the process from that point and transfer the tissues over?
> 
> Thanks.

Message: 8
Date: Wed, 19 Apr 2017 16:26:56 +
From: "McNabola, Angela" 
To: 'Caroline Miller' ,
"histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu"

Subject: Re: [Histonet] processor died overnight
Message-ID: <69aa9d996b56bf4ebcbb8ea666

Re: [Histonet] Fabric softener to "decalcify" bone? (Angela Lamberth)

[Mayer,Toysha N via Histonet]

I have used fabric softener to surface soften nails.  It worked ok, but took a 
lng time.
Quality was pretty good.


Toysha Mayer

Message: 1
Date: Thu, 13 Apr 2017 11:33:56 -0700
From: Angela Lamberth 
To: histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
Subject: [Histonet] Fabric softener to "decalcify" bone?
Message-ID:

Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8

Hi netters!

A friend sent me the link below and we are curious to hear your thoughts and 
experiences with using fabric softener (in lieu of standard decal
methods) on bone before processing.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5309838/

Best,
Angela

--
Angela Lamberth
Histology Technician III
Histology Core Lab
La Jolla Institute for Allergy & Immunology
9420 Athena Circle
La Jolla, CA 92037


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Re: [Histonet] Survey

[Mayer,Toysha N via Histonet]

In my opinion a stainer would come first.  As it has already been stated, 
stainers provide consistency and reliability in the lab.  You can always find 
someone to assist with coverslipping, but not everyone can perform the stain 
just right.
Newer coverslippers are wonderful, they last and work great.  Just remember to 
open the dispensing valve for adequate flow of the reagent onto the slide.  
That has always been the biggest problem with film units.  Don't get chintzsy 
with the reagent, but don't let them be too juicy.

>
> On Mar 31, 2017 8:00 PM, "Patti Nelson - PNP Lab Consultant via 
> Histonet" < histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu> wrote:
>
>>
>> Hi Everyone,
>>
>> I just wanted to get everyone's opinion. If you had to chose between 
>> buying a Auto Side Stainer or Auto Slide Cover Slipper, which one 
>> would you chose? Lets say your volume was around 60 to 80 blocks a 
>> day and you worked for a GI Lab. Everyone's input would be greatly 
>> appreciated.
>>
>>
>>
>> Sincerely,
>>
>> PATTI NELSON  H.T.(ASCP)
>> PNP LABORATORY CONSULTANTS
>> SUPERVISOR DGC/ZADEH LABS
>> PO BOX 412
>> CABAZON, CA. 92230
>> 909-841-9761
>> nelsonr...@verizon.net
>> CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE:This message and any included attachments are 
>> from Patti Nelson, PNP Laboratory Consultants and are intended only 
>> for the addressee. The information contained in this message is 
>> confidential and may contain privileged, confidential, proprietary 
>> and/or exemption from disclosure under applicable law.  Unauthorized 
>> forwarding, printing, copying, distribution, or use of such 
>> information is strictly prohibited and may be unlawful.  If you are 
>> not the addressee, please promptly delete this message and notify the 
>> sender ofthe delivery error by e-mail or you may call  909-841-9761.
>>

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Re: [Histonet] Tissue fixation

[Mayer,Toysha N via Histonet]

I agree with Rene.  To discredit the pathologist theory  show if all of the 
specimens from the run are not fixed properly.  Then show if it is just the 
LEEPs.  Then show if it is that particular clients specimens?  Then onto that 
client's LEEPs.
That should prove your problem lies with the client handling and not the 
fixation on your end.  Cauterization can cause burning of the specimen, but not 
look unfixed. If it was left out of formalin, autolysis can set in.
The situation shows the god-complex some physicians have and the lack of 
respect they have for their techs.  
This is why we should all be certified and keep up with continuing education, 
so that these pathologists will respect us.
Ok, I'm going to get off my soapbox now, before I say something ugly.

Toysha Mayer






--

Message: 3
Date: Fri, 31 Mar 2017 12:50:37 +
From: T H 
To: "histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu"

Subject: [Histonet] Tissue Fixation
Message-ID:



Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"

Good Morning,


I have a pathologist that is not happy with the fixation on some of our LEEP 
specimens.  She swears its histology doing something to the specimen to cause 
the tissue to look unfixed on only "part" of the LEEP specimens (all the same 
client specimens).  She claims we must be diluting our formalin to cause this 
issue or "something".  We mentioned maybe it was on the clients end not placing 
them in 10% formalin right away, she wouldn't hear of it.


Let me give you some back ground on how our process works.  Our clients send us 
all our specimens to us via Overnight FedEx or UPS in 10% formalin they will 
then they sit in 10% formalin in-house until the processors are started around 
3pm and sits an additional 5 hours in 10% formalin on the processor before the 
processor actually starts.  That being said the fixation process has had a 
pretty good start before we ever even touch it.


My question is, and I thought I had read this in the past is, when a specimen 
is left out prior to fixation and lying on a absorbent surface such as a paper 
towel, won't the area of the tissue touching the absorbent surface begin the 
disintegration processes faster in that exact area then the rest of the 
specimen?  Or if you have any other suggestion on what might be happening to 
only "certain" specimens would be great as well.


Thanks for your help!


Tim



--

Message: 4
Date: Fri, 31 Mar 2017 13:32:35 + (UTC)
From: Rene J Buesa 
To: T H ,   "histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu"

Subject: Re: [Histonet] Tissue Fixation
Message-ID: <1730848134.8065268.1490967155...@mail.yahoo.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8

What you describe as a possible scenario is absolutely possible.If your PT does 
not "want to hear" about it, suggest she gets a "hearing aid" or to study 
something about histotechnology or even better yet, pay attention to what a 
professional on the subject (you) has to say about it. You would never dare to 
question her diagnosis, why would she question yours on this subject?Ren? 

On Friday, March 31, 2017 9:11 AM, T H via Histonet 
 wrote:
 

 Good Morning,


I have a pathologist that is not happy with the fixation on some of our LEEP 
specimens.? She swears its histology doing something to the specimen to cause 
the tissue to look unfixed on only "part" of the LEEP specimens (all the same 
client specimens).? She claims we must be diluting our formalin to cause this 
issue or "something".? We mentioned maybe it was on the clients end not placing 
them in 10% formalin right away, she wouldn't hear of it.


Let me give you some back ground on how our process works.? Our clients send us 
all our specimens to us via Overnight FedEx or UPS in 10% formalin they will 
then they sit in 10% formalin in-house until the processors are started around 
3pm and sits an additional 5 hours in 10% formalin on the processor before the 
processor actually starts.? That being said the fixation process has had a 
pretty good start before we ever even touch it.


My question is, and I thought I had read this in the past is, when a specimen 
is left out prior to fixation and lying on a absorbent surface such as a paper 
towel, won't the area of the tissue touching the absorbent surface begin the 
disintegration processes faster in that exact area then the rest of the 
specimen?? Or if you have any other suggestion on what might be happening to 
only "certain" specimens would be great as well.


Thanks for your help!


Tim

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--

Message: 5
Date: Fri, 31 Mar 2017 13:57:30 + (UTC)
From: Paula Keene Pierce 
To: Rene J Buesa ,   Histonet Histonet

Subject: Re: [Histonet] Tissue Fixation
Message-ID: <372734167.8016960.149096865

Re: [Histonet] disposable grossing pad

[Mayer,Toysha N via Histonet]

We use chux here as well.  The cotton in them can bunch up, also they don't lay 
completely flat.  We also use the thin lab mats.  Cardinal carries them as does 
fisher.  They can be bought in bulk, have an absorbent side and a fluid 
resistant side.  Since we are on a tight budget here, and students are 
wasteful, they work well for us.  A pack of 30 or so lasts us about two 
calendar months.  We use 1/day and 3/week.
There is also a bench top liner that you can purchase.  It may come in a roll, 
and you can just cut what you need.
As for disposal, since they are contaminated with specimens, we place ours 
directly in the biohazard.  Any item that may have come in contact with an 
unprocessed specimen (no blades or glass) goes into the biohazard waste.  
Hope this helps.

Toysha Mayer

Message: 1
Date: Thu, 30 Mar 2017 17:42:55 +
From: "Terri  Braud" 
To: "'histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu'"

Subject: Re: [Histonet] disposable grossing pad
Message-ID:
<48E053DDF6CE074DB6A7414BA05403F812D064@HRHEX03-HOS.holyredeemer.local>

Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

I know many, including staff here, that prefer to use "chux".  They are very 
cheap, come in various sizes and adsorption levels, latex-free, with a highly 
absorbent core and soft, quick-drying coverstock so you don't get lint in your 
specimens. Use your favorite search engine to look them up.  Almost all major 
Med suppliers carry them.  Between specimens, we just toss the old one into 
red-bag waste.
I 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

   1. formalin pad for grossing (Wang, Weixi)
--
Message: 1
Date: Wed, 29 Mar 2017 17:09:25 +
From: "Wang, Weixi" 
Subject: [Histonet] formalin pad for grossing Dear all Histonetters, It has 
been a while since I joined the mailing list and I learned a lot here!
Now I have a question and would like to get feedbacks regarding the use of 
formalin in the grossing room. I was instructed to use the formalin-neutralized 
pads during the grossing. Any other pads or paper, absorbent or not, cannot go 
to the bio-hazardous waste. But the neutralizer pads are so costly, especially 
for grossing part, when we need to change very frequently to void the cross 
contamination between specimen.
I would like to know what is the pad/mat/paper you use for grossing, and how do 
you dispose these formalin contaminated materials.
Any feedback is deeply appreciated!
Weixi
Weixi Wang, Ph.D., HTL(ASCP)
Manager | Histology Laboratory
St. Joseph's Healthcare System
703 Main Street, Paterson, NJ 07503
Phone: 973.754.3541 | Fax: 973.754.3292
wangwe...@sjhmc.org | 
www.StJosephsHealth.org
***








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Re: [Histonet] AFB Control Question

[Mayer,Toysha N via Histonet]

Pam,
I worked with our microbiology department and had them to obtain some positive 
organisms and with our surgery and morgue for fresh tissue.  We then inoculate 
the tissue and process it.  Positive blocks are kept on hand and used.  We also 
pass a copy of the slides back to the microbiology department to keep on file 
as a good batch.  It seems to work for us in the educational setting.  We have 
done afb, gms, and gram.  Our next batch will include Cryptococcus, and h. 
pylori.
Hope that helps!

Sincerely,

Toysha N. Mayer, D.H.Sc., MBA, HT (ASCP)
Instructor/Education Coordinator
Program in Histotechnology
School of Health Professions
UT M.D. Anderson Cancer Center
713.563-3481
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Message: 2
Date: Wed, 15 Feb 2017 15:53:07 +
From: "Marcum, Pamela A" 
To: "histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu"

Subject: [Histonet] AFB Control Question
Message-ID: <8c03b2f73b8e4e5593bf93faa4069...@mail13m2n1.ad.uams.edu>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

Good morning,

We are attempting to find AFB controls from human sources.  We would trade if 
we have something you need and we have available.  Does anyone have blocks they 
might share or trade without upsetting our HIPPA people on either side.  I am 
really not interested in buying slides as we cut larger blocks down and have 
controls on with the patient tissue.  Also the control slides are general in 
the middle of the slide and force to use two slides for every test (too many 
ordering and all want a control) which makes the cost prohibitive.  Our 
pathologists prefer human tissue and most of the companies I talk to either 
don't know or won't say it is animal origin or human.


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Re: [Histonet] Pathology Ladder System

[Mayer,Toysha N via Histonet]

Stephen,
This question is being asked all over the country.  Your suggestion of having a 
clear cut career ladder is good.  Add to that the opportunity to cross train in 
other areas such as POCT testing, molecular, and digital imaging.  Today's 
techs want opportunities to advance and most of them don't mind learning new 
things, they just want to be compensated for that. New techs don't mind moving 
around some to get that dream job, but they need a definite track to do so. 
Mentoring in other areas is good as well.  Allow them the chance to participate 
in other administrative areas so that they can see what is out there. Rotate 
these spots so that everyone can get a chance if they want.  I see you are the 
safety person, send someone else to your meeting next time.  NSH is also good 
for investigating and networking.  
We actually just discussed this with our department earlier this summer, 
histotechs want a career ladder to see what is out there.  They don't want to 
wait 10 years to get a good position, so they job hop.


Sincerely,

Toysha N. Mayer, D.H.Sc., MBA, HT (ASCP)
Instructor/Education Coordinator
Program in Histotechnology
School of Health Professions
UT M.D. Anderson Cancer Center
713.563-3481
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-Original Message-


Message: 4
Date: Tue, 9 Aug 2016 11:19:34 +
From: 
To: 
Subject: [Histonet] Pathology Ladder System
Message-ID:



Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

Good morning everyone.  I had a meeting recently with hospital administration 
where I was asked what leadership could do to retain and keep quality staff.  
Besides the obvious, pay increase's, I suggested a ladder type progression 
system for all lab staff, similar to what some hospitals offer nursing staff.  
My question to this group is, if any of you are using such a system would you 
mind sharing it with me?

Thanks,

Stephen Clark  HT, BS, DESSO
Pathology Dept. Supervisor
Laboratory Safety Officer
Grand Strand Medical Center
809 82nd Parkway
Myrtle Beach, SC 29579
Desk: 843-692-1459
Lab: 843-692-1486
Fax: 843-449-6213





--

Message: 9
Date: Tue, 9 Aug 2016 16:10:27 +
From: "Morken, Timothy" 
To: Histonet 
Subject: Re: [Histonet] Pathology Ladder System
Message-ID:
<761e2b5697f795489c8710bcc72141ff6fd7b...@ex07.net.ucsf.edu>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

Our career ladder at UCSF

HLT 1 thru 4 (Hospital Laboratory Technician) for non-histology positions. 
HLT-1 is entry level, could be out of high school. To move up requires more 
education. HLT-2 AA to BA/BA, HLT-3, -4, BA/BS used as accessioners, basic lab 
techs in grossing and cytology, running stainers, changing tissue processors in 
histology, etc. HLT-1,-2 are bench techs. HLT-3 is a Senior tech, HLT-4 is a 
Lead tech. HLT-3 and -4 can be trained for grossing. They can actually work 
their way thru to minor grossing with the right qualifications. If trained for 
histotechnology or more advanced grossing ie, PA-level) we promote them to the 
Histotechnologist series.

HT 1 thru 4 (Histotechnologist). Traditional histology lab techs as well as 
on-the-job trained Pathologist's Assistants (HT-3,-4 only). HT-1,2 are the 
basic bench techs, HT-3, is Senior tech, HT-4 is Lead tech. Only HT-4 and 
Supervisor requires ASCP certification for histology work (not grossing work), 
but  is "preferred" at the other levels. So far all our histotechs are ASCP 
certified HT or HTL.  None of the OJT PA's are certified (though they could 
work for it if they desired). We do have an advantage of a large research 
population to draw techs from so all come to us with good educational 
background and have learned some histology in a research lab. 

These are all union positions and each classification (i.e HT-1 or HT-2) has 12 
annual steps (controlled by the union, not administration) before maxing out in 
pay. At that point they reach a ceiling and can only move up by going to the 
next up classification. We usually require 5 years in one step  before 
reclassifying unless the person is exceptional. As a manager I can only 
reclassify; I cannot move someone up a step as a reward for good work.

This works out pretty well for advancement but we have a fairly large 
organization - 12 histotechs and 

Re: [Histonet] Block Scrapers

[Mayer,Toysha N via Histonet]

Try DR Instruments for a decently priced knife, less than $10 each.  They have 
the older thick, metal handled scalpel that we get for our students.  They dull 
pretty quickly and are easy to keep up with.  The thin ones can hurt your 
hands.  They sell to the public, and I just googled them.
Other than that try Buffalo Dental knives.  It looks like a paring knife, but 
the blade is shorter (less than 1.5 in) and has a nice wooden handle. They are 
a more expensive, but last.  Actually they are what dentists use to work on 
dentures.


Sincerely,

Toysha N. Mayer, D.H.Sc., MBA, HT (ASCP)
Instructor/Education Coordinator
Program in Histotechnology
School of Health Professions
UT M.D. Anderson Cancer Center
713.563-3481
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Message: 1
Date: Mon, 25 Jul 2016 00:40:24 +
From: "Hardy, Cate" 
To: "histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu"

Subject: Re: [Histonet] block Scrapers
Message-ID:

Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8"

We just use a blunt butcher knife. It works great. Low tech, low cost!


Cate Hardy

Senior Technical Officer (Mon-Tue) | Veterinary Enterprises, Faculty of Science 
Charles Sturt University Boorooma Street Locked Bag 588 Wagga Wagga, NSW 2678 
Australia
Tel: 69334000
Email:  v...@csu.edu.au
Email: cha...@csu.edu.au
www.csu.edu.au




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Re: [Histonet] Cleaning Tissue Molds (Kennedy, Lisa

[Mayer,Toysha N via Histonet]

Lisa,

I have used all of the previously mentioned methods for cleaning molds.  It 
really depends on the facilities that you have access to.  Boiling in hot soapy 
water is great for deep cleaning, but you may not have enough pots or beakers 
to clean them all at once.  Xylene, followed by 100% is good, but you may not 
have it in the budget to use fresh xylene and forget to save some used.  
Sometimes having a container big enough to do this is also a challenge.  
Spraying them down with mold release after air drying, but then you have to 
remember to allow them to dry.  Placing them in the processor can clog the 
lines, but if you place them in the oven first to drain and only do a few at a 
time that can help.
We have our students boil them and then dry them in the oven. Weekend dry in 
the oven, and on Monday am they shake them up and put them away.
Some techs don't like the residue of mold release.  It doesn't bother me 
though.  
Sincerely,

Toysha N. Mayer, D.H.Sc., MBA, HT (ASCP)
Instructor/Education Coordinator
Program in Histotechnology
School of Health Professions
UT M.D. Anderson Cancer Center
713.563-3481
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Message: 1
Date: Thu, 14 Jul 2016 10:18:12 +
From: "Kennedy, Lisa" 
To: "histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu"

Subject: [Histonet] Cleaning Tissue Molds
Message-ID:

<517c2a781e654047a5ec98d17390f9f25d939...@chiex003.chi.catholichealth.net>

Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

Dear Fellow Histo Techs,
What is the BEST practice for cleaning the paraffin block tissue molds?  We do 
not want to use our processor due to its age and wear and tear and frequent 
replacement of cellanoids when we clean them via the processor.
Thanks so much for your help! In advance.
Sincerely,
Lisa Kennedy, HT (ASCP)

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Message: 2
Date: Thu, 14 Jul 2016 07:56:43 -0400
From: "Hannen, Valerie" 
To: "'Kennedy, Lisa'" 
Cc: "Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu"

Subject: Re: [Histonet] Cleaning Tissue Molds
Message-ID: <450B7A81EDA0C54E97C53D60F00776C323E455E60B@isexstore03>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

We soak our molds in Xylene for @ 2hrs, then soak in 100% alcohol for @ 30 
minutes( with occasional stirring to clear the xylene), then rinse in H2O, let 
dry(laid out) and spray with the mold release.

Valerie Hannen,MLT(ASCP),HTL,SU (FL)
Section Chief, Histology
Parrish Medical Center
951 N. Washington Ave.
Titusville,Florida 32796
T: (321)268-6333 ext. 7506
F: (321) 268-6149
valerie.han...@parrishmed.com
www.parrishmed.com



Message: 3
Date: Thu, 14 Jul 2016 13:35:22 +
From: 
To: , 
Cc: 
Subject: Re: [Histonet] Cleaning Tissue Molds
Message-ID:
<14c3108e8b98ef43b3edae58336700340202495...@exchange.med.mun.ca>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

We used to do that until 5 years ago, when we started looking in cleaning the 
molds without the use of Xylene. We found that we don't need to clan them, we 
turn them down on a metal tray covered with paper towel and put them in our 60 
degree C oven overnight. That gets rid of the wax left on the molds. Then the 
next morning we spray them with mold release and they are ready for use.
 Now, bear in mind we do only research, so I don't know if you can do this in a 
hospital, there may be possible contamination or other issues, but it perfect 
solution for us.

I. Dimitrova, MLT, LHP, B.Tech., M.Sc. 

Histology Supervisor
Faculty of Medicine
Memorial University of Newfoundland
St. John's, NL Canada 

-Original Message-
From: Hannen, Valerie via Histonet [mailto:histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu]
Sent: July-14-16 9:27 AM
To: 'Kennedy, Lisa'
Cc: Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
Subject: Re: [Histonet] Cleaning Tissue Molds

We soak our molds in Xylene for @ 2hrs, then soak in 100% alcohol for @ 30 
minutes( with occasional stirring to clear the xyl

Re: [Histonet] Histonet Digest, Vol 148, Issue 6

[Mayer,Toysha N via Histonet]

Kathleen,

I would suggest you contact one of the Veterinary Schools for assistance.  I 
remember that we had some when I was at LSU Vet School, but not much else.
Also try one of the Marine Biology programs down in Florida, they may be able 
to help.

Sincerely,

Toysha N. Mayer, D.H.Sc., MBA, HT (ASCP)
Instructor/Education Coordinator
Program in Histotechnology
School of Health Professions
UT M.D. Anderson Cancer Center
713.563-3481
The information contained in the e-mail message may be privileged, 
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you think that you have received this e-mail in error, please notify the sender 
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Message: 3
Date: Mon, 07 Mar 2016 12:16:53 -0400
From: "Kathleen Jones" 
To: 
Subject: [Histonet] Whale skin
Message-ID: <56dd7135028b0006d...@oes-grpwise.novell.upei.ca>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII

Hello, 

I have to cut FFPE blocks of whale skin for in IHC study. I am having 
difficulty with both cutting and floating. Any advice would be much appreciated!

Thank you!





Kathleen Jones
Research Technologist
Pathology/Microbiology
AVC - UPEI




--

Message: 4
Date: Mon, 7 Mar 2016 16:57:23 + (UTC)
From: Rene J Buesa 
To: Kathleen Jones ,
"histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu"

Subject: Re: [Histonet] Whale skin
Message-ID:
<914914500.3949222.1457369843481.javamail.ya...@mail.yahoo.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8

How did you manage to deal with the about 0.5 m of blubber?Was it the skin of a 
new born whale? I just to not understand, but you have to completely eliminate 
all the fat and increase your processing protocol (infiltration specially) to 
have some chance of getting any relatively "decent" section.Ren? 

On Monday, March 7, 2016 11:23 AM, Kathleen Jones via Histonet 
 wrote:
 

 Hello, 

I have to cut FFPE blocks of whale skin for in IHC study. I am having 
difficulty with both cutting and floating. Any advice would be much appreciated!

Thank you!





Kathleen Jones
Research Technologist
Pathology/Microbiology
AVC - UPEI


**
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Re: [Histonet] Disposal of Blocks and Slides (Lester Raff MD)

[Mayer,Toysha N via Histonet]

Lester,
For safety's sake, as well as laymen peace of mind, I would place them in the 
normal tissue disposal biohazard boxes.  Notify the proper areas as to what 
they are so that they can be aware.  Most other areas in the hospital will feel 
better, but the number crunchers may be upset because of the number of 
containers being used.  You cannot fill them to the top, but usually about 1/2 
to 3/4 full.

Sincerely,

Toysha N. Mayer, D.H.Sc., MBA, HT (ASCP)
Instructor/Education Coordinator
Program in Histotechnology
School of Health Professions
UT M.D. Anderson Cancer Center
713.563-3481
The information contained in the e-mail message may be privileged, 
confidential, and/or protected from disclosure. This e-mail message may contain 
protected health information (PHI); dissemination of PHI should comply with 
applicable federal and state laws. If you are not the intended recipient, or an 
authorized representative of the intended recipient, any further review, 
disclosure, use, dissemination, distribution, or copying of this message or any 
attachment (or the information contained therein) is strictly prohibited. If 
you think that you have received this e-mail in error, please notify the sender 
by return e-mail and delete all references to it and its contents from your 
systems.







Message: 10
Date: Tue, 5 Jan 2016 17:35:05 +
From: Lester Raff MD 
To: "'histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu'"

Subject: [Histonet] Disposal of Blocks and Slides
Message-ID:
<6347C6D2B080534F9B5C2B08436DCFAF0B5EA84B@COLOEXCH01.uropartners.local>

Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

Our lab will be passing its 10th anniversary shortly, and for space 
considerations, will begin disposal of blocks and slides. None of blocks or 
slides from early years have patient ID, so no HIPAA concerns, but what other 
issues are there with disposal? What kind of waste do slides and blocks 
constitute? Are they considered medical waste? Any information, particularly 
from Illinois, appreciated.

Lester J. Raff, MD MBA
UroPartners
Medical Director Of Laboratory
2225 Enterprise Dr. Suite 2511
Westchester, Il 60154
Tel: 708-486-0076
Fax: 708-492-0203


A celebratory post:  
http://www.chicagonow.com/downsize-maybe/2016/01/turning-60-along-with-some-of-my-friends/



--

Subject: Digest Footer

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End of Histonet Digest, Vol 146, Issue 3

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confidential, and/or protected from disclosure. This e-mail message may contain 
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applicable federal and state laws. If you are not the intended recipient, or an 
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Re: [Histonet] Marciafava-Bignami Disease

[Mayer,Toysha N via Histonet]

This is very interesting.  I have worked in the field for over 20 yrs, and was 
pregnant while working in a small lab.  Mostly everything was manual, and I did 
not use all of the safety precautions I should have (my fault). My son had 
severe speech and language delay as well as a language processing issue when he 
was smaller, and now stutters.  I have often wondered (as most parents would) 
if my lack of precautions may have contributed. We stress the safety issues to 
the students daily, to get it all in their heads.  I often tell  people that I 
am so happy because I work with xylene, and I feel real good.  So far, I don't 
see any noticeable symptoms of anything wrong, just the usual-decreased 
olfactory sensing, repetitive motion issues, plantar fasciitis, and varicose 
veins.  Hair loss was an issue at one time, but that was attributed to PCOS.  
Now that I am not in the lab full time anymore it has decreased since I went 
natural (I'm African-american).  One thing I have noticed is my C
 -reactive protein is high, and I take a statin for that.  I have no liver 
issues, and my functions appear to be normal.  Next time I go in for a 
physical, I will have my workplace hazards documented in my EMR.  
I will look up Primary Biliary Cirrhosis (PBC), to get some more information, 
especially since I was born jaundiced and I am anemic.


Sincerely,

Toysha N. Mayer, D.H.Sc., MBA, HT (ASCP)
Instructor/Education Coordinator
Program in Histotechnology
School of Health Professions
UT M.D. Anderson Cancer Center
713.563-3481

  
Message: 11
Date: Tue, 4 Aug 2015 06:30:12 -0700
From: Eileen Akemi Allison 
To: "Edmondson David (RBV) NHS Christie Tr"

Cc: Histonet 
Subject: Re: [Histonet] Marciafava-Bignami Disease I have re-logged
into thesystem and maybe this will now communicate with 
Histologists
out there,  and hope that I do not get twice as many emails from
Histonet#
Message-ID: 
Content-Type: text/plain;   charset=utf-8

GP?s are fine for general health issues, but I would certainly get more 
conclusive tests done by a neurologist, as well as contacting the best worker?s 
comp attorney in your area who has dealt with chemical exposure cases.

Studies show we are #1 in this country for the most hazardous professions. It's 
safe compared to when I 1st started in this field in 1965! Well, I am a 
dinosaur from back in the day when we had inadequate ventilation, a shortage of 
fume hoods, inadequate education on hazards, safety and PPE's. 

In 1979 I started to work at OHSU in the surgical path lab, as well as doing 
research projects. We made up all of our own H&E's and special stains from 
scratch, as well as made up our own 10% NBF in 55 gallon drums without fume 
hoods, ventilation, masks or gloves. I also worked with Glyco-Methacrylate 
embedded tissues without hoods or gloves! Since it was a medical school, we did 
every special stain under the sun and dealt with about every chemical, reagent, 
acid and stain you could think of! We also smoked cigarettes and drank coffee 
in the lab while we embedded and cut! We sure were a naive group back then!

In the early days, the facilities I worked in never had MSDS information 
available. In 1989, while at Emanuel Hospital, Portland, OR, I researched and 
compiled the MSDS information on all the chemicals, reagents, acids and stains 
that we used. That was the 1st eye opener to what me and my fellow histologists 
dealt with on a daily basis. 

In 1988 I had base line tests done because I was having issues with dizziness, 
balance, reflexes, and short term memory loss. In 1992, I had extensive 
neurological tests done, as well as a sural nerve bx taken from my right ankle. 
It was found that I had nerve damage, loss of balance, no reflexes, numbness in 
my fingers, hyper sensitivity and reduced feeling on my right side, hearing 
loss in my left ear, and an aedes pupil in my right eye. It was concluded these 
were the results from exposure to multiple toxic chemicals in an extremely 
small room with excessive heat and NO VENTILATION at current hospital I was 
working at. These health issues are irreversible. I just deal with it. I was 
the 1st person who won a case for this in the state of Oregon, but it had 
consequences. I won the battle, but lost the war!  

I now have Primary Biliary Cirrhosis (PBC).  I was 1st diagnosed in 2008 for 
PBC. I think this condition was caused by my continual exposure to Multiple 
Toxic Chemicals. You may, or may not agree. A huge amount of the chemicals we 
deal with in the histology lab targets the liver and is absorbed through the 
skin or is inhaled. Here is the link for PBC. 
http://www.liverfoundation.org/abouttheliver/info/pbc/ 


Akemi Allison BS, HT/HTL (ASCP)
Pathology Manager
Monterey Bay GI Consultants Laboratory
23 Upper Ragsdale Drive, Suite 200
Monterey, CA 93940
W: Email: aalli...@montereygi.com 

Re: [Histonet] ] Dako Artisan special stainer

[Mayer,Toysha N via Histonet]

I have used the older Dako Artisan and loved it.  It is easy to adapt to you 
lab protocols and if it goes down, you can easily pick up from where you left 
off.  The customer service was great (it has been a while since I had an 
instrument), and replacement kits and labels were easy to get.  The stains are 
easy to read and the pathologists like them. Warthin Starry used to be only 7 
min and very clean.  Multiple stains can be performed at once, including AFB 
and GMS.   

Sincerely,

Toysha N. Mayer, D.H.Sc., MBA, HT (ASCP)
Instructor/Education Coordinator
Program in Histotechnology
School of Health Professions
UT M.D. Anderson Cancer Center
713.563-3481


Message: 8
Date: Fri, 24 Jul 2015 08:44:34 -0700
From: Kiran 
To: Manahil 
Cc: "histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu"

Subject: Re: [Histonet] Dako Artisan special stainer
Message-ID: <690c0e00-7a18-4018-99e5-f41bf80fe...@sbcglobal.net>
Content-Type: text/plain;   charset=us-ascii

Dear all,
We are looking at another vendor for special stains. Any input or feedback on 
Dako special stainer will be much appreciated. 
Thanks and have great weekend. 
Kiran 

> On Jul 23, 2015, at 7:41 AM, Manahil via Histonet 
>  wrote:
> 
> Does anyone have processing and H&E auto stainer machines validation 
> procedure they would like to share?
> If our lab would like to change the bluing and differentiation reagent from 
> in house to commercial, do we need to revalidate the stain?
> Thanks and appreciate your input.
> Manahil
> Sent from my iPhone
> ___
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> Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
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--

Message: 9
Date: Fri, 24 Jul 2015 16:05:52 +
From: "Sanders, Jeanine (CDC/OID/NCEZID)" 
To: Kiran , Manahil 
Cc: "histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu"

Subject: Re: [Histonet] Dako Artisan special stainer
Message-ID:
<3b2cd438e1628a41bd687e98b963b78137f82...@embx-clft4.cdc.gov>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

We love our Artisan! We use it for Warthin-Starry, Gram, AFB and GMS staining. 
There are many more stains for the Artisan...these are just the ones we use.

Jeanine Sanders
CDC
Atlanta


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Re: [Histonet] Suggestions for staining ground substances in the Heart

[Mayer,Toysha N]

Kristie,
 For heart you could try the elastic Trichrome, it will stain the ground 
substances and is faster than the Movat.  If your ground substance is devoid of 
staining it could be the phosphotungstic acid.  Is it 5%, and fresh?  Are you 
using two changes at 5 min each?   Continue with the 4micron sections, and use 
fresh solutions.  If you can make the phosphotungstic yourself, do that.  
Commercial solutions sometimes do not store well.
Hope this helps.


Sincerely,

Toysha N. Mayer, D.H.Sc., MBA, HT (ASCP)
Instructor/Education Coordinator
Program in Histotechnology
School of Health Professions
UT M.D. Anderson Cancer Center
713.563-3481





-Original Message-
From: Wolfe, Christina [mailto:christina.wo...@bms.com] 
Sent: Wednesday, 1 July 2015 1:15 AM
To: histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
Subject: [Histonet] Suggestions for staining ground substances in the Heart

Hi all,
We are interested in staining ground substances in the heart.  Are there other 
stains that will work beside the Pentachrome?  We have tried the Movat's 
pentachrome (commercial kit) and are able to demonstrate ground substance in 
the bone with the alcian blue part of this stain.  In our hands the goblet 
cells of the gut and the ground substance in the heart are devoid of staining.  
We have tried sections cut at 4 and 6 microns.  Any thoughts/suggestions?

Kristie

Christina Wolfe, BSHA, MLT (ASCP), HT, QIHC Drug Safety 
Evaluation/Bristol-Myers Squibb Pathology Dept.
812-307-2093



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Re: [Histonet] : Paraffin block disposal

[Mayer,Toysha N]

The regulation says two years.  I was always led to believe that for Pedi, it 
should 10 years past the age of 18.  Some facilities add the phrase 'past sign 
out'  onto the policy for disposal.  The methods can vary according to facility 
and state.  In some places that could mean in the trash, in others biohazard 
waste.  If confused check with another long standing facility  and a newer one 
in the area to get an idea of what should be done.  I have usually placed them 
in the biohazard trash, so that there would be no issues with anything.  

Sincerely,

Toysha N. Mayer, D.H.Sc., MBA, HT (ASCP)
Instructor/Education Coordinator
Program in Histotechnology
School of Health Professions
UT M.D. Anderson Cancer Center
713.563-3481

Message: 1
Date: Sat, 6 Jun 2015 10:24:42 -0700
From: Aimee Tolentino 
To: "Arbaugh, Roberta" 
Cc: "histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu"

Subject: Re: [Histonet] Paraffin block disposal
Message-ID: <1f36aba5-452b-4556-8d1e-e5d09fdb2...@gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain;   charset=us-ascii

That's a good question. I'd like to know the answer myself to that. :)

Sent from my iPhone

> On Jun 5, 2015, at 12:54 PM, Arbaugh, Roberta  
> wrote:
> 
> Per CLIA we only need to keep paraffin blocks two years. What is the proper 
> way to dispose of them?
> 
> DISCLAIMER: The information in this message is confidential and may be 
> legally privileged. It is intended solely for the addressee. Access to this 
> message by anyone else is unauthorized. If you are not the intended 
> recipient, any disclosure, copying, or distribution of the message, or any 
> action or omission taken by you in reliance on it, is prohibited and may be 
> unlawful. Please immediately contact the sender if you have received this 
> message in error. Thank you.
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Re: [Histonet] PAS Stain

[Mayer,Toysha N]

We use the hematoxylin that is used on the H&E stainer.  While I know it is not 
optimal, the pathologists should be  used to looking at it so it makes things a 
lot easier.  The time is cut down to less than 30 seconds and we do not use a 
differentiator.
For the students, it helps them to understand the versatility of the dye and 
its multiple uses.  They don't get confused and are pleasantly surprised when 
they find out they can use another formulation while they are at their 
internships.  

Sincerely,

Toysha N. Mayer, D.H.Sc., MBA, HT (ASCP)
Instructor/Education Coordinator
Program in Histotechnology
School of Health Professions
UT M.D. Anderson Cancer Center
713.563-3481




--

Message: 2
Date: Mon, 1 Jun 2015 22:02:55 -0500
From: Mica 
To: "histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu"

Subject: [Histonet] PAS stain
Message-ID: <16f1d792-cd79-458e-9d25-493d8bc0c...@aol.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

Just a question...what kind of hematoxylin do you use as a counter stain for 
your PAS stain and do you use a differentiator?

Sent from my iPad


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Re: [Histonet] OJT Histotechs/Training

[Mayer,Toysha N]

One good way to find techs is to offer to become a clinical affiliate for a 
program.  Most programs struggle with attracting students and providing them 
with clinical affiliates to fine tune their skills.
It may not matter that the school is not located near you, the student may have 
family nearby to stay with.  
We are always looking for long distance affiliates, that way we can attract an 
out-of-state student and not saturate the local area.  I have students who want 
to relocate to different areas and just for a change and this helps them do so. 
 We also get calls from applicants who don't mind moving to us for 9-10 months, 
as long as they can go home when they finish.  
If the program is agreeable to this, the specifics can be worked out, such as 
what skills are entry level and the length of the time the student is at your 
facility.
Ours is called an Internship and the student is at the facility for 12 weeks.  
They come in knowing basic embedding, cutting, routine staining, specials, and 
have performed a minimum of three IHC stains.  Two are manual and one 
automated.  
Some programs keep the students in house for some time before they leave for 
internship, while others leave the technical training to the clinics.  It all 
depends on what is available.  
This would be a low cost way to see if you like a person, can train them and 
are willing to teach.  
Some students are looking to relocate just before graduation, so a move for an 
internship is a consideration.  
Many times it is the expectations of the trainer that are not aligned with the 
skill level of entry-level techs and that can cause problems.  This way the 
person can come in with an assessment of the skill level and the OJT phase can 
begin.  If the affiliate chooses to hire the student, great.  If not, then no 
harm.  At least you get to say that you tried and did not have to waste money 
doing so.  It is not a source of free labor, but a way of accurately assessing 
a person's fit for your needs.
Many allied health programs (not just histo) are doing this and it helps to 
showcase different labs and programs.

Just my two cents.

Sincerely,

Toysha N. Mayer, D.H.Sc., MBA, HT (ASCP)
Instructor/Education Coordinator
Program in Histotechnology
School of Health Professions
UT M.D. Anderson Cancer Center
713.563-3481





Message: 1
Date: Thu, 14 May 2015 17:07:06 +
From: "Morken, Timothy" 
To: Pam Marcum , Lisa Roy 
Cc: Histonet , Michael Dessoye

Subject: Re: [Histonet] OJT Histotechs/Training
Message-ID:
<761e2b5697f795489c8710bcc72141ff36831...@ex07.net.ucsf.edu>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8"

I think there is some actor from the CSI series that has done some of this work 
promoting lab techs...

Tim Morken

-Original Message-
From: Pam Marcum [mailto:mucra...@comcast.net] 
Sent: Thursday, May 14, 2015 9:18 AM
To: Lisa Roy
Cc: Histonet; Michael Dessoye
Subject: Re: [Histonet] OJT Histotechs/Training

I understand and agree with everything being said and feel we do need more 
education in getting your registry, as Histology is changing and growing.??We 
need to be prepared to grow with it, much as we did when IHC first came into 
Histology and many thought it would go to the MTs.?? 
? 
The one thing that has not changed in the 50 years I have done Histology is the 
fact that no one outside of AP knows what a Histologist is or what we do.? (I'm 
tried of being asked "Oh what kind of history is that?")? Until we change that 
and get more information about the field and advantages we will still be in the 
straights we are in now.? No one joining because so few people even know what 
we do or that there is an opportunity here.? If you don't know what Histology 
is why would you even look at the field.? I know about and have done school 
visits, career days etc; and those are not enough.? 
? 
We need a spokesperson or celebrity?who has needed our services and not even 
known we, Histology, were the ones who did the slides their wonderful doctors 
used to save their lives.? This person or persons needs to speak loud and 
strong the way Robin Roberts has done on TV for her doctors and?help.?However; 
Histology was neven mentioned in those gratis moments.?I have only known 
one?person in NSH who suggested this and no one listened.? If?they can't see 
you or know you - you don't exist.??Can we all take off the blinders and?look 
at what we need in publicity and stop waiting for NSH and ASCP to do it.???Then 
we can offer these possible future HTs and HTLs something, like being 
recognized as full laboratory professionals and a higher level of lab aide. 
? 
Just my thoughts (for many years and spoken often) 
? 
Pam Marcum 

- Original Message -

From: "Lisa Roy"  
To: "Michael Dessoye" , "Histonet" 
 
Sent: Thursday, May 14, 2015 7:55:19 AM 
Subject: Re: [Histonet] OJT Histotechs/Training 

I currently have 3 open tech positions and don't have any qualified applicants 
applying for the job. 

[Histonet] RE:Histology in higher education

[Mayer,Toysha N]

Thanks for the info.  I just signed up.  The whole program sounds like a great 
idea.  A few years ago I spoke at my son's middle school about histology and 
what the job entails.  It is challenging to figure out how to reach kids at 
their level.  
I may talk about the program in my class next fall to introduce them to 
outreach in the science fields.

Great info. 

Sincerely,

Toysha N. Mayer, D.H.Sc., MBA, HT (ASCP)
Instructor/Education Coordinator
Program in Histotechnology
School of Health Professions
UT M.D. Anderson Cancer Center
713.563-3481




Message: 11
Date: Wed, 22 Apr 2015 16:24:28 +
From: "Piche, Jessica" 
Subject: RE: [Histonet] histology in higher education
To: "'Grantham, Andrea L - (algranth)'" ,
"\"\""  
Message-ID:
<631955447a364b45b9458d2905635110d8bf6...@win08-mbx-01.wtbyhosp.org>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

Thank you for sharing this information Andi. I'd like to do something like this 
and I'm going to send this on to my daughters science teachers at school. I 
think it's a great idea. It always amazed me all the different jobs in 
hospitals alone that are available for kids and adults alike and no one knows 
they exist. Especially histology. Looking forward to passing this on!
Thanks again,
Jessica Piche, HT(ASCP)
Waterbury Hospital
CT

-Original Message-
From: histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu 
[mailto:histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of Grantham, 
Andrea L - (algranth)
Sent: Wednesday, April 22, 2015 12:01 PM
To: ""
Subject: RE: [Histonet] histology in higher education

Bonnie, and anybody who wants to do this:
www.prescientist.org



From: Whitaker, Bonnie [bonnie.whita...@osumc.edu]
Sent: Wednesday, April 22, 2015 8:45 AM
To: Grantham, Andrea L - (algranth); ""
Subject: RE: [Histonet] histology in higher education

Andi,

Would you be willing to share the information on how to volunteer with this 
program?

Thanks,
Bonnie

-Original Message-
From: histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu 
[mailto:histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of Grantham, 
Andrea L - (algranth)
Sent: Wednesday, April 22, 2015 11:40 AM
To: ""
Subject: RE: [Histonet] histology in higher education

For a few years I've been involved in a program called "letters to a 
pre-scientist". The idea is to reach middle schoolers as they are being 
introduced to the sciences. They have pretty high goals at this time, they want 
to be doctors and astronauts and engineers but they are just starting to learn 
about these things.
You become a pen pal/mentor of sorts and write letters to a child and they will 
write back to you. Last year I was writing to a boy in the Chicago area and 
this year it was a girl in LA. I always write about what I do and how important 
it is and include pictures of things like brain cells, muscle, fungus, bacteria 
and pictures of my lab. I always pick up a copy of the NSH coloring book and 
send it to them and tell them what they need to study to be a histotech and 
other than a hospital, where they can find a job. Of course we also tell them 
about other things like our families, pets, vacations, etc. at the same time.

It's just a small thing but it plants a seed.

Andi G.
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[Histonet] RE: Histonet Digest, Vol 137, Issue 30

[Mayer,Toysha N]

Gail,
The regulation is from CLIA '88.  They list the requirements for that, and I 
have never heard of a grandfather clause.  I could be wrong about though.
NY state did not license HTL.  I had a student who wanted to move there, and 
did not because he was going to have an HTL, not HT.  He would only have been 
able to work clinical if he took both exams (HT and HTL).  I even contacted the 
state society for clarification.  Hopefully it has changed.
I believe it is because they do not have any HTL programs in the state, so it 
was not included in the licensure bill. 

Sincerely,

Toysha N. Mayer, D.H.Sc., MBA, HT (ASCP)
Instructor/Education Coordinator
Program in Histotechnology
School of Health Professions
UT M.D. Anderson Cancer Center
713.563-3481


Message: 8
Date: Thu, 23 Apr 2015 18:34:13 +
From: Joelle Weaver 
Subject: RE: [Histonet] NY State Histology License
To: Gail Marcella ,
"histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu"

Message-ID: 
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"

Yes, CLIA stipulation. I think that there may be a grandfather clause, but not 
sure of the time frame. You could check the regulation on that.


Joelle Weaver MAOM, HTL (ASCP) QIHC


  

 
> From: gmarce...@nj-urology.com
> To: histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
> Date: Tue, 21 Apr 2015 11:47:58 -0400
> Subject: [Histonet] NY State Histology License
> 
> Hi  - I've been a Histotech for 20+ years and got my Clinical Laboratory 
> License in NY State when they required getting it. I don't have an Associates 
> or Bachelor's degree but a Pathologist signed off for me. I have my HTASCP. I 
> was told when I went for an interview in NY State that I couldn't gross small 
> specimens or do IHC without an Associates  or Bachelor degree in biology. I 
> was not aware of these restrictions. I don't see anything on the NYS website. 
>  I was wondering if anyone else heard of this? Thanks - Gail
> ___
> Histonet mailing list
> Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
> http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet
  


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[Histonet] RE: (no subject)

[Mayer,Toysha N]

Cynthia,
That is good to know.  Then I wonder how the CDC gets away with sending the 
armadillo controls out for leprae.  We used it for FITE stains only, not 
regular AFB.  

Sincerely,

Toysha N. Mayer, D.H.Sc., MBA, HT (ASCP)
Instructor/Education Coordinator
Program in Histotechnology
School of Health Professions
UT M.D. Anderson Cancer Center
713.563-3481


-Original Message-
From: Cynthia Robinson [mailto:robin...@mercyhealth.com] 
Sent: Tuesday, April 21, 2015 3:34 PM
To: Mayer,Toysha N; 'histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu'
Subject: RE: (no subject)

A few years ago we got cited for not having the fungal control be in tissue. 
The citation was from a HQIP survey we participated in from CAP. We were using 
a cultured fungal specimen in a cell button at that time. Since then I have 
collected and shared a number of cases we have seen with fungal infections in 
feet. 

Just my 2 cents

Cindi Robinson, HT(ASCP)
Dunes Medical Laboratories
350 W Anchor Dr
Dakota Dunes SD 57049


From: histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu 
[histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu] on behalf of Mayer,Toysha N 
[tnma...@mdanderson.org]
Sent: Tuesday, April 21, 2015 2:12 PM
To: 'histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu'
Subject: [Histonet] RE: (no subject)

-I think you can use the other tissue controls.
 Even CDC (Hansen's Disease Center) will send out mycobacterium leprae controls 
free of charge, and I think they are armadillo.
The best control I have ever used for mast cells is canine mast cell tumors.  I 
request them from Vet Schools regularly.
Also think of antibodies, aren't  most antibodies animal?
The separation of the specimens I think is during processing.  They should be 
processed separately from routine human tissues when they are being used for 
clinical human tests.
I have heard of them running on the same processor, just on a different run 
when the solutions have been changed.

Toysha
-

Message: 10
Date: Mon, 20 Apr 2015 18:50:15 -0400
From: Garrey Faller 
Subject: Re: [Histonet] (no subject)
To: koelli...@comcast.net
Cc: "histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu"

Message-ID:

Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8

Here is the CAP checklist requirement:
ANP.21450
All  histochemical stains are of adequate quality, and daily controls are 
demonstrated on each day of use for the tissue components or organism for which 
they were designed.

Ray...you should call the CAP and ask for guidance on this.
My interpretation of this requirement is that it should be OK to use a fungus 
from an orange peel. An orange peel fungus should have the same staining 
characteristics as a candida or aspergillus etc.  Similarly a bacteria is a 
bacteria. If you can produce a control that has both gram positives and 
negatives, it should be OK. But, don't quote me on this.

Call the CAP for a definitive answer. I am interested in their response.
Garrey

On Sun, Apr 19, 2015 at 9:06 PM,  wrote:

> I asked about this in a different vein months ago.  Has anyone shown a 
> strawberry or ground meat or slim jim or orange peel as a 
> bacteria/fungus control used for diagnostics to an inspector 
> inspecting the lab and was there any comment from the inspector either 
> positive or negative. Never heard back anything.
> Ray, Lake Forest Park, WA
>
> - Original Message -
>
> From: tjfinney2...@gmail.com
> To: histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
> Sent: Sunday, April 19, 2015 5:24:53 PM
> Subject: [Histonet] (no subject)
>
> GMS controls
> >From my understanding we can't use non human controls on patients. I
> could be wrong, but you may want to look into it.
>
> Happy Connecting.  Sent from my Sprint Phone.
>
> ___
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> Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
> http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet
>
> ___
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> Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
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>


--


Sent from my iPhone

> On 21 Apr 2015, at 8:51 am, "Garrey Faller"  wrote:
>
> Here is the CAP checklist requirement:
> ANP.21450
> All  histochemical stains are of adequate quality, and daily controls 
> are demonstrated on each day of use for the tissue components or 
> organism for which they were designed.
>
> Ray...you should call the CAP and ask for guidance on this.
> My interpretation of this requirement is that it should be OK to use a 
> fungus from an orange peel. An orange peel fungus should have the same 
> staining characteristics as a candida or aspergillus etc.  Similarly a 
> bacteria is a bacteria. If you can produce a control that has both 
> gra

[Histonet] RE: (no subject)

[Mayer,Toysha N]

-I think you can use the other tissue controls. 
 Even CDC (Hansen's Disease Center) will send out mycobacterium leprae controls 
free of charge, and I think they are armadillo.
The best control I have ever used for mast cells is canine mast cell tumors.  I 
request them from Vet Schools regularly.
Also think of antibodies, aren't  most antibodies animal?
The separation of the specimens I think is during processing.  They should be 
processed separately from routine human tissues when they are being used for 
clinical human tests.
I have heard of them running on the same processor, just on a different run 
when the solutions have been changed.

Toysha
-

Message: 10
Date: Mon, 20 Apr 2015 18:50:15 -0400
From: Garrey Faller 
Subject: Re: [Histonet] (no subject)
To: koelli...@comcast.net
Cc: "histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu"

Message-ID:

Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8

Here is the CAP checklist requirement:
ANP.21450
All  histochemical stains are of adequate quality, and daily controls are
demonstrated on each day of use for the tissue components or organism for
which they were designed.

Ray...you should call the CAP and ask for guidance on this.
My interpretation of this requirement is that it should be OK to use a
fungus from an orange peel. An orange peel fungus should have the same
staining characteristics as a candida or aspergillus etc.  Similarly a
bacteria is a bacteria. If you can produce a control that has both gram
positives and negatives, it should be OK. But, don't quote me on this.

Call the CAP for a definitive answer. I am interested in their response.
Garrey

On Sun, Apr 19, 2015 at 9:06 PM,  wrote:

> I asked about this in a different vein months ago.  Has anyone shown a
> strawberry or ground meat or slim jim or orange peel as a bacteria/fungus
> control used for diagnostics to an inspector inspecting the lab and was
> there any comment from the inspector either positive or negative. Never
> heard back anything.
> Ray, Lake Forest Park, WA
>
> - Original Message -
>
> From: tjfinney2...@gmail.com
> To: histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
> Sent: Sunday, April 19, 2015 5:24:53 PM
> Subject: [Histonet] (no subject)
>
> GMS controls
> >From my understanding we can't use non human controls on patients. I
> could be wrong, but you may want to look into it.
>
> Happy Connecting.  Sent from my Sprint Phone.
>
> ___
> 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
>


--


Sent from my iPhone

> On 21 Apr 2015, at 8:51 am, "Garrey Faller"  wrote:
>
> Here is the CAP checklist requirement:
> ANP.21450
> All  histochemical stains are of adequate quality, and daily controls are
> demonstrated on each day of use for the tissue components or organism for
> which they were designed.
>
> Ray...you should call the CAP and ask for guidance on this.
> My interpretation of this requirement is that it should be OK to use a
> fungus from an orange peel. An orange peel fungus should have the same
> staining characteristics as a candida or aspergillus etc.  Similarly a
> bacteria is a bacteria. If you can produce a control that has both gram
> positives and negatives, it should be OK. But, don't quote me on this.
>
> Call the CAP for a definitive answer. I am interested in their response.
> Garrey
>
>> On Sun, Apr 19, 2015 at 9:06 PM,  wrote:
>>
>> I asked about this in a different vein months ago.  Has anyone shown a
>> strawberry or ground meat or slim jim or orange peel as a bacteria/fungus
>> control used for diagnostics to an inspector inspecting the lab and was
>> there any comment from the inspector either positive or negative. Never
>> heard back anything.
>> Ray, Lake Forest Park, WA
>>
>> - Original Message -
>>
>> From: tjfinney2...@gmail.com
>> To: histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
>> Sent: Sunday, April 19, 2015 5:24:53 PM
>> Subject: [Histonet] (no subject)
>>
>> GMS controls
>>> From my understanding we can't use non human controls on patients. I
>> could be wrong, but you may want to look into it.
>>






--

Message: 14
Date: Tue, 21 Apr 2015 13:49:21 + (UTC)
From: koelli...@comcast.net
Subject: Re: [Histonet] controls to lengthy off topic
To: Garrey Faller 
Cc: histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
Message-ID:
<2017966350.7376432.1429624161902.javamail.zim...@comcast.net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8

Hello Garrey, 
Curious myself, CAP contact info seems to be greyed out on website unless I 
officially log in and for now my concerns are with the Washington State Science 
and Engineering Fair for K-12 and golf game. 
?? 
(1) There are at least two phrases in the ANP

[Histonet] RE: BS in Histotechnology

[Mayer,Toysha N]

Like many of us, I stumbled I into Histo.  I took a class in Histology as part 
of a Pre-Med curriculum in college and liked what I saw.  We were never told 
that it was a career field, so a few years later when I was offered the chance 
to work in a histo lab I took it.  Since I had a BS, I was encouraged to take 
the HT exam, but didn't do IHC so not the HTL.  Years later I was told that I 
could get a salary increase with the HTL.
Being in education, I see the need for more HTL's, but without a salary 
difference it is hard to sell.  The new healthcare law, may be able to help us, 
in regards to the need for mid-level providers.  The fact that HTL's can do 
more complicated testing helps. Employers are beginning to require 
certification, but experience goes a long way.  In some places people have had 
to change their title, because they are not certified. 
Sometimes it seems that in regards to histo the chicken/egg question comes up.  
Without the differences in salaries, it is hard to attract degreed and 
certified techs, but without the certified techs it is hard to get better 
salaries.
I agree, NSH needs to do more, but so does ASCP.  We need the respect and 
recognition that is deserved.  Histotechnology is an obscure profession that 
few people, let alone those in healthcare, are aware of.  Everybody has seen 
our work, but doesn't really understand the effort that we put forth.
Education institutions should promote their programs (mine included), and 
actively recruit students. No one really knows that education programs exist 
for the field.  One thing I mention to potential applicants is how many jobs I 
held at once, just because they were there.  CAP should have a link to the NSH 
website to encourage education, working techs should have more pride in their 
craft and push education and certification.  Those of us who took the OJT route 
need to keep abreast of the changes in the field and participate in education 
opportunities.  There should be no room for jealousy and back biting.
Many techs who are certified, did not keep it current because they did not plan 
to leave their institution, and now regret it.  
Education and certification are essential for the continued progression of our 
field, but as a whole we have to decide what we want and come together to 
accomplish it.  HT is important, HTL is important.  Not everyone is cut out to 
get a four year degree, but each person who is employed as a histotech should 
be certified for the betterment of the field as a whole.
 

Sincerely,

Toysha N. Mayer, D.H.Sc., MBA, HT (ASCP)
Instructor/Education Coordinator
Program in Histotechnology
School of Health Professions
UT M.D. Anderson Cancer Center
713.563-3481



 Original message 
From: Bernice Frederick  
Date:03/24/2015  3:27 PM  (GMT-05:00) 
To: "Sanders, Jeanine (CDC/OID/NCEZID)" , Carl Nituda 
, "Marcum, Pamela A" , Sue 
, Timothy Morken  
Cc: histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu, Jennifer MacDonald 
 
Subject: RE: [Histonet] BS in Histotechnology 

"They"  don't realize the theory we have to learn and those questions we have 
to answer like " What's the best fixative for a pheochromocytoma?" You tell 
them and they say the pathologist says B-5, to which I  said, well they 
wouldn't pass out registry exam with that answer.Grrr. Or the difference 
between a Mucin, Pas and Alcian Blue. The cytopath who asked did really need to 
know. As well I vaguely recall a question back on my HTL exam asking why a 
pathologist would request a mucin stain
Bernice

Bernice Frederick HTL (ASCP)
Senior Research Tech
Pathology Core Facility
Robert. H. Lurie Cancer Center
Northwestern University
710 N Fairbanks Court
Olson 8-421
Chicago,IL 60611
312-503-3723
b-freder...@northwestern.edu


-Original Message-
From: histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu 
[mailto:histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of Sanders, 
Jeanine (CDC/OID/NCEZID)
Sent: Tuesday, March 24, 2015 2:14 PM
To: Carl Nituda; Marcum, Pamela A; Sue; Timothy Morken
Cc: histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu; Jennifer MacDonald
Subject: RE: [Histonet] BS in Histotechnology

I know someone personally that works in a hospital and it hast 
Histotechnologist by his nameand he never took the HTL exam. He said his 
hospital bases it on experience


From: Carl Nituda [cnit...@nvdermatology.com]
Sent: Tuesday, March 24, 2015 2:32 PM
To: Marcum, Pamela A; Sanders, Jeanine (CDC/OID/NCEZID); Sue; Timothy Morken
Cc: histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu; Jennifer MacDonald
Subject: RE: [Histonet] BS in Histotechnology

I personally think that a person just can't call themselves a Histotechnologist 
unless they went to school, training, and then pass the BOC by ASCP.  Anyone, I 
mean anyone can perform a job with proper training in any field but that 
doesn't mean they should have that title until they pass certification.

For hiring managers, I encourage you to hire certified c

[Histonet] RE: Masson Trichrome stain

[Mayer,Toysha N]

Justine,

I do not have any metal forceps in the special stains area, due to the reaction 
that they can cause when staining with silver.  As a rule of thumb, it is just 
easier to use plastic all the way around.  
The Carson text does not state the use of only plastic forceps, but I would 
think that maybe they are concerned with a reaction between the Weigert's and 
the metal.  That would be a stretch.
As for no water before aniline blue, I believe the concentration is very weak 
and the water may dilute they dye even further.  This would affect the staining 
results.


Sincerely,

Toysha N. Mayer, D.H.Sc., MBA, HT (ASCP)
Instructor/Education Coordinator
Program in Histotechnology
School of Health Professions
UT M.D. Anderson Cancer Center
713.563-3481






 
--

Message: 4
Date: Tue, 10 Mar 2015 00:31:56 -0500
From: John Kiernan 
Subject: Re: [Histonet] FW: Masson's trichrome stain
To: Linda Margraf ,
histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
Cc: justinelan...@hotmail.com
Message-ID: <7380eaed48941.54fe3...@uwo.ca>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1

The notion of plastic forceps is new to me. Where did Justine find it? Nothing 
in any variant of the Masson procedure should be adversely affected by moving 
slides with stainless steel forceps. Is there a commercial campaign to sell 
plastic tweezers to Histonetters? 

John Kiernan
= = =
On 08/03/15, Linda Margraf   wrote:
> Here is a message from Justine...
> 
> From: Justine Lanzon [mailto:justinelan...@hotmail.com] 
> 
> Sent: Thursday, March 05, 2015 5:36 AM
> To: lindamarg...@gmail.com
> Subject: Masson's trichrome stain
> 
> 
> Hi,
> 
> I am doing a write up on Masson's trichrome stain however I cannot 
> answer these two questions:
> 
> - Why are plastic forceps used instead of metal ones to hold the 
> stained slide?
> 
> - Why do we not rinse before Alinine blue?
> 
> ?
> 
> Can you please help me?
> 
> ?
> 
> Many Thanks,
> 
> Justine Lanzon
> 
> ___
> Histonet mailing list
> Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
> http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet
> 
> 


--

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[Histonet] RE: Old slides

[Mayer,Toysha N]

Bernice,
Take the slide and dip it in xylene.  Lay it on the film, pressing down firmly. 
 As it adheres, then gently wipe the excess xylene off, and gently place it in 
a book or your procedure manual and leave it there for an hour or so.
Most of the bubbles will be gone, and the tissue will be saved.

The original problem is not enough xylene dispersed onto the slide.  Adjust the 
flow being dispensed by the unit.  

Sincerely,

Toysha N. Mayer, D.H.Sc., MBA, HT (ASCP)
Instructor/Education Coordinator
Program in Histotechnology
School of Health Professions
UT M.D. Anderson Cancer Center
713.563-3481



--

Message: 1
Date: Mon, 9 Mar 2015 19:41:48 +
From: Bernice Frederick 
Subject: [Histonet] Old slides.
To: "histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu"

Message-ID:

Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

Hi all,
We received some old slides (1997-1998) that were coverslipped with film. 
Sakura I would imagine. The issue here is that the coverslips have come up from 
the slide and the tissue is adhered to the back of the coverslip. They need to 
be recovered so they can be evaluated. What do you all recommend? We use the 
CV5030 for coverslipping. I tried one with xylene and mounting media but there 
were still a couple of air bubbles in there.
Thanks,
Bernice

Bernice Frederick HTL (ASCP)
Senior Research Tech
Pathology Core Facility
Robert. H. Lurie Cancer Center
Northwestern University
710 N Fairbanks Court
Olson 8-421
Chicago,IL 60611
312-503-3723
b-freder...@northwestern.edu





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[Histonet] RE: Histonet Digest, Vol 135, Issue 21

[Mayer,Toysha N]

She can also google Bard, which a manufacturer of the instruments, and call 
them.  I did and the sales rep that responded helped me to understand what I 
was asking and gave me the answer.  She also sent me a few sample instruments 
for my student lab.  
Here is what my rep said:

> Breast is usually 14 or 16 ga and 10 cm in length.
> 
> Liver / lung / kidney / prostate is usually 18 ga or 20 ga but length can 
> vary. Your length options are 10, 16 and 20.

Hope this helps.

Toysha Mayer

Sincerely,

Dr.Toysha N. Mayer, D.H.Sc., MBA, HT (ASCP)
Instructor/Education Coordinator
Program in Histotechnology
School of Health Professions
UT M.D. Anderson Cancer Center
713.563-3481




Message: 3
Date: Thu, 19 Feb 2015 04:13:01 -0500
From: Bob Richmond 
Subject: [Histonet] Re: needle size
To: "Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu"

Message-ID:

Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8

Jennifer MacDonald asks >>Does anyone have the gauge of needle used for breast 
core biopsies and for prostate biopsies?<<

An 18 gauge needle is standard for transrectal prostate biopsies. Breast 
stereotactic needle biopsy needles are considerably larger, but you'll need to 
inquire what your local people are using.

Bob Richmond
Samurai Pathologist
Maryville TN


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[Histonet] RE: special stainers

[Mayer,Toysha N]

It depends on what your conditions are.  Dako if users have pretty good special 
stain knowledge.  If for some reason the instrument stops (power outage or 
something) you can see where the unit stopped and continue the stain by hand.  
Also, it can be tweaked for your individual needs more.  My old pathologist 
didn't like the PAS off the stainer, so we heated the first special stains wash 
and that gave him the color difference that was desired.  
Ventana does not allow such liberties, nor can you use all of the reagent in 
their vials, so some of it goes to waste.  The up side is that if your techs do 
not have much experience in special stains, the unit can be run by a newbie 
without much effort if QC'd correctly.  
Hope this helps.

Sincerely,

Dr.Toysha N. Mayer, D.H.Sc., MBA, HT (ASCP)
Instructor/Education Coordinator
Program in Histotechnology
School of Health Professions
UT M.D. Anderson Cancer Center
713.563-3481



-Original Message-
From: histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu 
[mailto:histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of Mitchell, 
Janice A
Sent: Tuesday, January 20, 2015 6:43 AM
To: histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
Subject: [Histonet] specials stainers

Good Morning,
We are looking for an automatic stainer for special stains.   Ventana vs Dako?  
Thoughts?
Thanks for any input, Janice Mitchell
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[Histonet] RE:Automated Special Stainer...

[Mayer,Toysha N]

Sarah,

The costs of Ventana are high.  If you have a steady workload, and/or  
inexperienced techs it is ok.  If the stainer malfunctions, you have no way of 
knowing where it stopped to continue by hand.  If your reagents are 1 day 
expired, you cannot change the computer date and continue.  (I know I'm not the 
only person who has done this).
Dako is easier to use, easier to fool, and gives more consistent results.  The 
dates can be changed to continue usage, the system allows you to develop your 
own protocols if you use a different counterstain, and you will always know 
where the unit stops to manually continue if needed.  

Hope this helps.
Sincerely,

Dr.Toysha N. Mayer, D.H.Sc., MBA, HT (ASCP)
Instructor/Education Coordinator
Program in Histotechnology
School of Health Professions
UT M.D. Anderson Cancer Center
713.563-3481


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the sole use of the intended recipient(s) and may contain confidential and 
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Message: 16
Date: Wed, 17 Sep 2014 11:13:14 -0500
From: 
Subject: [Histonet] Automated Special Stainer...
To: 
Message-ID:

<34c22bb94729434598d767d3f4eb95e0e2174b0...@fwdcwpmsgcms03.hca.corpad.net>

Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

Opinions on Ventana versus Dako...Go!

Sarah E. Dysart, BA, HT (ASCP), QIHC (ASCP) Pathology Supervisor St. David's 
North Austin Medical Center
12221 North Mopac Expressway
Austin, Texas  78758
(512)901-1220



--

Message: 17
Date: Wed, 17 Sep 2014 16:30:18 + (UTC)
From: Sue 
Subject: Re: [Histonet] Automated Special Stainer...
To: Sarah Dysart 
Cc: histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
Message-ID: <81116639.3933059.1410971418142.javamail.r...@comcast.net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8

Have Ventana like it but cost is high, ave no experience with new DAKO but old 
platform was nice ?? 

Sue Paturzo 

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[Histonet] RE:On the lighter side...

[Mayer,Toysha N]

Tim,

Just saw your post about the 'marketable skill'.  Funny those were my mother's 
exact words while I was in college.  She didn't care what I majored in, as long 
as I got a marketable skill along the way.
The best advice I've ever gotten.  
Thanks Maria!!! (my mother)

Sincerely,

Dr.Toysha N. Mayer, D.H.Sc., MBA, HT (ASCP)
Instructor/Education Coordinator
Program in Histotechnology
School of Health Professions
UT M.D. Anderson Cancer Center
713.563-3481



-Original Message-
From: histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu 
[mailto:histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of Morken, Timothy
Sent: 08 August 2014 19:26
To: 'Douglas Porter'; histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
Subject: RE: [Histonet] On the lighter side...

Wow, I feel like a newbie! 28 years, registered. HT 13663, 1988, HTL 1369, 
1992. Electron Microscopy Technologist, #604, 1982. 

Like most, I never heard of "histology" until I walked into a hospital lab on 
my first day as  an EM tech. I had seen slides made in college, but no one ever 
mentioned it could be an actual profession. I was more taken with the electron 
microscope, and there was (is) a 2-year program at the community college in the 
town I grew up in (Delta College, Stockton, CA). So AFTER getting a BA in 
Zoology, I went there to get a marketable skill. At that time EM was still used 
for tumor dx, so when I started it was about half tumor, half kidney. I was 
lucky enough to get involved in histology and set up the IHC lab at the small 
community hospital I worked at (as an EM tech) and so ended up phasing myself 
almost out of an EM job. The IHC took over all the tumor dx from EM. Later I 
left EM altogether and did IHC exclusively for 15 years. But, like most, I 
learned Histotechnology on the job but was lucky enough to work for a 
pathologist who believed in developing his techs - to the point of paying for 
meetings out of his own pocket. Only now do I know how fortunate I was to work 
for someone like that. Because of him we had developed a culture in the small 
histo lab (4 men!!) of learning. We studied together one night a week for the 
HT exam and all passed (and the practical!). Again, that was a fortunate 
experience, not very often seen in labs. 

Tim Morken
Supervisor, Histology, Electron Microscopy and Neuromuscular Special Studies UC 
San Francisco Medical Center San Francisco, CA



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[Histonet] RE: Histonet Digest, Vol 129, Issue 17

[Mayer,Toysha N]

Egads, I feel like a baby!
20 years registered, 3 yrs unregistered.
By the way, I did see a former colleague with her ASCP certificate in her 
office, and the oldest sticker is from the year I was born.


Sincerely,

Dr.Toysha N. Mayer, D.H.Sc., MBA, HT (ASCP)
Instructor/Education Coordinator
Program in Histotechnology
School of Health Professions
UT M.D. Anderson Cancer Center
713.563-3481


 


Message: 2
Date: Sun, 10 Aug 2014 21:50:58 +
From: Sebree Linda A 
Subject: RE: [Histonet] On the lighter side...
To: Jamal , 'Vincent Rivera'
, 'Douglas Porter' ,
"histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu"

Message-ID:
<77dd817201982748bc67d7960f2f76af0c7...@uwhc-mbx12.uwhis.hosp.wisc.edu>

Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"

38 years and looking forward to retirement in a few years.

Linda A. Sebree

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[Histonet] RE: Histology trivia

[Mayer,Toysha N]

I remember an episode of CSI where the ME had a bowl of ice next to the body 
where he was doing an autopsy and cut the tissue right there.  A year after 
that the star did a series of promos for Lab week.  I guess the techs got on 
them about the scene.  They did however, show the sections being cut on an old 
AO (black of course), and the ME did the staining.
As a kid I loved Quincy, and it got me interested in science. When I talk to 
the baby boomers about my work, I do refer to Sam in the show.  
House had his interns cut and stain the tissue slides (go figure) with an AFB 
once.  Ridiculous!!

Sincerely,

Toysha N. Mayer, MBA, HT (ASCP)
Instructor/Education Coordinator
Program in Histotechnology
School of Health Professions
UT M.D. Anderson Cancer Center
713.563-3481


Message: 1
Date: Fri, 27 Jun 2014 18:44:50 +
From: Mark Turner 
Subject: RE: [Histonet] RE: Re: Friday histology trivia
To: "wsim...@athensgastro.com" , "Shirley A.
Powell" , "Podawiltz, Thomas"
, "Sanders,Jeanine (CDC/OID/NCEZID)"
, "'Morken, Timothy'" ,
'Teri Johnson' ,
"'histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu'"

Message-ID:
<643626b74de2814d8537057f40e1a10b0a35b...@csi-mx-nodea.csi-LABS.local>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8"

Count me in, Wanda!  After some of the long hours I work, I probably wouldn't 
need makeup!

Mark Turner,  Ph.D., HT(ASCP)QIHC
Manager, Histology/IHC
 

-Original Message-
From: histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu 
[mailto:histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of 
wsim...@athensgastro.com
Sent: Friday, June 27, 2014 2:38 PM
To: Shirley A. Powell; Podawiltz, Thomas; Sanders, Jeanine (CDC/OID/NCEZID); 
'Morken, Timothy'; 'Teri Johnson'; 'histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu'
Subject: Re: [Histonet] RE: Re: Friday histology trivia

Quincy made derogatory remarks that anyone could do what Sam was doing.  Then a 
few of us complained and the next few episodes promoted us.  I think I'll talk 
to my walking ATL connections and see if we can get histotechs back in the 
limelight.  Maybe on "walking dead"?

Wanda


>  ---Original Message---
>  From: Shirley A. Powell 
>  To: Podawiltz, Thomas , Sanders, Jeanine
> (CDC/OID/NCEZID) , 'Morken, Timothy' 
> , 'Teri Johnson' , 
> 'histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu'
> 
>  Subject: [Histonet] RE: Re: Friday histology trivia
>  Sent: Jun 27 '14 14:22
>  
>  Most of you guys are too young to remember Quincy, who told his lab 
> assistant that if he did not come up with an answer he would be demoted to 
> the histology lab to count specimens.  Never watched that show again.  Good 
> thing the writers were on the other side of the country at that time.  But 
> hey I have mellowed since then.  All will agree that medical shows take 
> license with truth and reality in view of the almighty $$$.
>  
>  Shirley
>  
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[Histonet] RE: control slides

[Mayer,Toysha N]

Juan,

If you don't need them soon, I might be able to help you.  We are going to be 
clearing out some of our slides and taking pictures of them.  
After I check with my PD I will see if we can send you some.
You can contact me offline at: tnma...@mdanderson.org
I will get back with you next week sometime and let you know.

Sincerely,

Toysha N. Mayer, MBA, HT (ASCP)
Instructor/Education Coordinator
Program in Histotechnology
School of Health Professions
UT M.D. Anderson Cancer Center
713.563-3481

This electronic mail and any attached documents are intended solely for the 
named addressee(s) and contain confidential information. If you are not an 
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received this email in error and are notified that reading, copying, or 
disclosing this email is prohibited. If you received this email in error, 
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computer system.


--

Message: 4
Date: Wed, 18 Jun 2014 16:24:17 +
From: "Bassett, Juan L CTR USARMY MEDCOM USAMRMC (US)"

Subject: [Histonet] control slides
To: "Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu"

Message-ID:
<5befd2c58946394f8e2a6ec3e1f86a9b15a31...@umechpanz.easf.csd.disa.mil>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

I am in need of control slides (already stained) of different type special 
stains for teaching purposes. H & E slides also needed. If you are in the 
Maryland area I may be able to pick up from your area. If out of state I'll 
pick up shipping .  

Juan l. Bassett HT
Histotechnician Anatomical Div.
National Museum of Health and Medicine
2500 Linden Lane
Silver Spring, MD 20910
Office 301-319-3359
Lab  301-319-3328
Mobile 240-505-7247

juan.l.bassett@mail.mil







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this information is prohibited from disclosing this information to any other 
party unless required to do so by law or regulation. 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 these documents is 
strictly prohibited. If you have received this information in error, please 
notify the sender immediately and delete these documents. Copyright (c) 
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End of Histonet Digest, Vol 127, Issue 24
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[Histonet] RE: Should I leave histology world

[Mayer,Toysha N]

I agree with Tim.  Take a part-time job doing what you need to work on if 
possible.  When my embedding skills needed to be enhanced, I took a job 
embedding early mornings.  One time I took a job cutting for about 2 years, and 
that helped my speed.  I still am not the best cutter, but my speed increased 
and my errors decreased.  
In your current lab, ask for help from other techs as to setting goals and 
meeting deadlines.  Make it a game, not to  be taking risks and possibly 
injuring yourself, but a little friendly competition could help.
My students compete with each other to see who can finish fastest, with the 
least amount of errors, and the winner doesn't do the dishes that next day.
Remember, this is your livelihood, so you need to find out how to increase your 
speed and not sacrifice quality.  You should set up a time daily to develop 
your technique and work on it.  Even if you have to switch duties to get this 
done, your manager should support you to keep you.  Find out what is slowing 
you down, is your station not set-up properly, do you not have all the tools 
needed, are the blocks embedded correctly, is the angle correct?  This can slow 
you down without you realizing it.  Create your own technique and make it 
great.  I never could line up sections side-by-side on slide for biopsies, so I 
just began to cut my ribbons longer and picked sections up in pairs.  It worked 
for me. 
Anything helps!!
Good luck.
Sincerely,

Toysha N. Mayer, MBA, HT(ASCP)
tnma...@mdanderson.org
Instructor/Education Coordinator
Program in Histotechnology
School of Health Professions
MD Anderson Cancer Center
713-563.3481





--
   
Message: 12
Date: Tue, 3 Jun 2014 16:34:51 -0400
From: Alpha Histotech 
Subject: [Histonet] Should I leave histology world
To: "histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu"

Message-ID: 
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"

Hi everyone,

I wouldn't give too much detail information as the histology world is very 
small and everyone knows everyone.

I am in a dilemma. I have been a histotech (ASCP HT) for almost 6-7 yrs. I went 
to a NAACLS school and have a Associate in Science in Histology. In the 6-7 yrs 
I have changed jobs 3 times. All the jobs were graveyard shifts. The first 
place I worked for was Quest Diagnostics and I did a good 3 yrs. The other 2 
places I won't mention and I currently still have a histology job. My problem 
is all the places I worked were factory style lab work and they all did derm 
work. In my career I really only embedded most of the time. I did occasional 
other stuff like special stains both by hand and using Dako Artisan and other 
things like cytology cytospin. But I never got to develop in cutting. My first 
job in quest..I maybe cutted one time for 2 or 3 weeks before they yanked me 
and put me back to embed. My 2nd job put me to cut the last 2 months (full 
8hrs) I was working there. My current job I have been cutting since April 2014 
( but only 2-3hrs in the day and then I embed, I have been here now 1 yr, I was 
embedding most of the time before th cutting started). I was told by my 
director I need to speed up in cutting because corporate is asking why I am not 
increasing in speed. And if I don't speed up eventually then they will have to 
demote me to a lab aid and give me a pay cut. (where I work and the state I 
work in they have lab aids doing alot of stuff without being certified, it 
wasn't like that in the other state I am original from as you have to be state 
licensed and ascp) I sometimes laugh inside my head because before my director 
hired me I told him I don't have alot experience in cutting. 

Now everywhere I have gone...speed is the name of the game. They say they care 
about quality but in the end if you can't put up then you will be put out!  So 
I am just thinking I should just get out of histology world all together. Every 
where I have worked unfortunately have management who believe quantity over 
quality. OR Do you guys think I need more time cutting to develop speed? 
Beforehand I did need a little learning curve to cut and I have gotten through 
that now. It's just the speed that is killing me. And I also see if anyone at 
my work detours me for any reason like for example data entry person from front 
desk ask for missing gross dictation, then that lost time is very hard to 
recover as I am not s fast to recover. I feel I may have to become very 
rude(not help) with everyone I work around in order to stay glued to my seat 
when I am cutting my blocks. One thing I want to say also...until this day I 
never been written up for quality issues and I never lost any tissue while 
embedding. Embedding I am fast as most histotech (1 block a min or most times 
30-45 secs 1 block) with proper embedding techniques demonstrated (tissue on 
same plane, tissue embedded with proper orientation and follow any other 
necessary embedding instructions. ) I just feel I haven't done my tim

[Histonet] RE: Fungus contamination

[Mayer,Toysha N]

Judith,
What counterstain are you using for each?  If it is the light green, then that 
may be the culprit.  Also check your baskets that you to deparaffinze, they may 
need to be cleaned.

Sincerely,

Toysha N. Mayer, MBA, HT(ASCP)
tnma...@mdanderson.org
Instructor/Education Coordinator
Program in Histotechnology
School of Health Professions
MD Anderson Cancer Center
713-563.3481


--

Message: 8
Date: Tue, 4 Feb 2014 15:55:11 +
From: "Pardue, Judith" 
Subject: [Histonet] Fungus contamination
To: "histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu"

Message-ID:



Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

Having a problem with fungus on top of both the pas and gms stain. There are no 
solutions used on both test. Other than distilled water we can not figure it 
out. All solutions have been changed and clean containers used.



Judith Gale Pardue
Histology Supervisor
judith_pardue@memorial .org

This electronic mail and any attached documents are intended solely for the 
named addressee(s) and contain confidential information. If you are not an 
addressee, or responsible for delivering this email to an addressee, you have 
received this email in error and are notified that reading, copying, or 
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immediately reply to the sender and delete the message completely from your 
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--

Message: 9
Date: Tue, 4 Feb 2014 09:11:35 -0700
From: Elizabeth Chlipala 
Subject: [Histonet] RE: Fungus contamination
To: "Pardue, Judith" ,
"histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu"

Message-ID:
<14E2C6176416974295479C64A11CB9AE019C79E0529B@SBS2K8.premierlab.local>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

Judith

Its been years ago but I wrote a ASCP tech sample on this - I can't remember 
what solution it was but one of the solutions we used for the GMS stain 
actually grew fungus in it and we were getting staining on top of the tissue 
sections also.  If you don't think it's one of your solutions I would culture 
your distilled water.  

Liz

Elizabeth A. Chlipala, BS, HTL(ASCP)QIHC Premier Laboratory, LLC PO Box 18592 
Boulder, CO 80308
(303) 682-3949 office
(303) 682-9060 fax
(303) 881-0763 cell
l...@premierlab.com
www.premierlab.com

Ship to Address:

Premier Laboratory, LLC
1567 Skyway Drive, Unit E
Longmont, CO 80504



--

Message: 10
Date: Tue, 4 Feb 2014 16:21:32 +
From: "Truscott, Tom" 
Subject: [Histonet] RE: Fungus contamination
To: "Pardue, Judith" ,
"histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu"

Message-ID:
<9ef5279ebdfe6e4fb6605e8f183a00276c8f6...@cvm77.vetmed.wsu.edu>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

Hi Judith, If you have made completely fresh solutions, even any stock reagents 
and still have the problem, then the fungus may be arriving from another 
source. I once had a problem of pollen landing on my water bath and showing up 
on the stains that would detect it. You may have fungus on other slides but 
only showing up in the PAS and GMS. Tom T

-Original Message-
From: histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu 
[mailto:histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of Pardue, Judith
Sent: Tuesday, February 04, 2014 7:55 AM
To: histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
Subject: [Histonet] Fungus contamination

Having a problem with fungus on top of both the pas and gms stain. There are no 
solutions used on both test. Other than distilled water we can not figure it 
out. All solutions have been changed and clean containers used.



Judith Gale Pardue
Histology Supervisor
judith_pardue@memorial .org

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named addressee(s) and contain confidential information. If you are not an 
addressee, or responsible for delivering this email to an addressee, you have 
received this email in error and are notified that reading, copying, or 
disclosing this email is prohibited. If you received this email in error, 
immediately reply to the sender and delete the message completely from your 
computer system.
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[Histonet] RE: artifact caused by freezing of tissues during transport

[Mayer,Toysha N]

Check with your local LabCorp, or Quest Diagnostics.  They get tissues  frozen 
in 10% NBF periodically due to inexperienced couriers putting them on dry ice.  
They may have worked something out.


Sincerely,

Toysha N. Mayer, MBA, HT(ASCP)
tnma...@mdanderson.org
Instructor/Education Coordinator
Program in Histotechnology
School of Health Professions
MD Anderson Cancer Center
713-563.3481


Message: 1
Date: Mon, 27 Jan 2014 11:44:09 -0500
From: Carol Bryant 
Subject: [Histonet] artifact caused by freezing of tissues during
transport
To: "histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu"

Message-ID: <50DA0C6B72976B4AB3A0FCA04CC73DBF4BF843B462@EXCHANGESB>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

Has anyone experienced artifact caused by freezing of tissues during transport 
with these frigid days?  If so, how long does it take specimens submitted in 
10% NBF to freeze while being transported to a laboratory?





Carol Bryant, CT (ASCP)
Cytology/Histology Manager
Lexington Clinic
Phone (859) 258-4082
Fax (859) 258-4081
cb...@lexclin.com




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[Histonet] Re: wax on the floors

[Mayer,Toysha N]

Ok, I could not resist.  Let's see, I have used:
Paint scraper
Slide (when I first started)
Spackle spatula taped to a broomstick (when I worked at small, poor place)
Ice thingy (removes the ice from car windshield)  hey I live in Houston, we 
don't have ice
Floor scraper from a carpet/vinyl floor company (when I worked in a fancy lab) 

Also, don't let housekeeping wax the floors.



Sincerely,

Toysha N. Mayer, MBA, HT(ASCP)
tnma...@mdanderson.org
Instructor/Education Coordinator
Program in Histotechnology
School of Health Professions
MD Anderson Cancer Center
713-563.3481


Message: 1
Date: Wed, 11 Dec 2013 09:49:03 -0800 (PST)
From: Paula Pierce 
Subject: Re: [Histonet] wax on the floors
To: "Victor A. Tobias" ,Histonet

Message-ID:
<1386784143.76836.yahoomail...@web5706.biz.mail.ne1.yahoo.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1

A brand name! LOL
?
Paula K. Pierce, HTL(ASCP)HT
President
Excalibur Pathology, Inc.
5830 N Blue Lake Dr. Please note new address!
Norman, OK 73069
405-759-3953 Lab
405-759-7513 Fax
www.excaliburpathology.com



 From: Victor A. Tobias 
To: Paula Pierce ; Nancy Schmitt 
; Histonet 
Sent: Wednesday, December 11, 2013 11:25 AM
Subject: RE: [Histonet] wax on the floors
 

Is Bruce a Brand name or the employee?

Victor Tobias HT(ASCP)
Clinical Applications Analyst
Harborview Medical Center
Dept of Pathology Room NJB 244
Ninth & Jefferson
Seattle, WA 98104
vtob...@u.washington.edu
206-744-2735
206-744-8240 Fax
-Original Message-
From: histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu 
[mailto:histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of Paula Pierce
Sent: Wednesday, December 11, 2013 9:17 AM
To: Nancy Schmitt; Histonet
Subject: Re: [Histonet] wax on the floors

Bruce floor stripper!
?
Paula K. Pierce, HTL(ASCP)HT
President
Excalibur Pathology, Inc.
5830 N Blue Lake Dr. Please note new address!
Norman, OK 73069
405-759-3953 Lab
405-759-7513 Fax
www.excaliburpathology.com



From: Nancy Schmitt 
To: "histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu"  
Sent: Wednesday, December 11, 2013 11:05 AM
Subject: [Histonet] wax on the floors


Happy Hump Day!

What is everyone doing to clean floors of paraffin?? Does anyone have any great 
secrets to how the floors are cleaned of the debris?

Thanks for any input!

Nancy

Nancy Schmitt HT, MLT(ASCP)
Histology Coordinator
United Clinical Laboratories




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End of Histonet Digest, Vol 121, Issue 15
*

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[Histonet] RE: See you Soon

[Mayer,Toysha N]

Congratulations Sarah 

Sincerely,

Toysha N. Mayer, MBA, HT(ASCP)
tnma...@mdanderson.org
Instructor/Education Coordinator
Program in Histotechnology
School of Health Professions
MD Anderson Cancer Center
713-563.3481



Message: 1
Date: Wed, 27 Nov 2013 19:13:05 +
From: Sarah Dysart 
Subject: [Histonet] See You Soon
To: "histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu"

Message-ID:

<488dd7f2012c47899d4a47bfba5c9...@by2pr07mb106.namprd07.prod.outlook.com>

Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

Hey guys and gals...I have taken a new position as Pathology Supervisor at 
North Austin Medical Center here in Austin...so I am unsubscribing for now, but 
have no fear...I will be back ASAP with my new email address.  Hope everyone 
has a great Turkey Day!!

Signing off for now...

Sarah Goebel-Dysart, BA, HT(ASCP), QIHC (ASCP) Histotechnologist Mirna 
Therapeutics
2150 Woodward Street
Suite 100
Austin, Texas  78744
(512)901-0900 ext. 6912



--

Message: 2
Date: Wed, 27 Nov 2013 11:32:22 -0800
From: Heather Marlatt 
Subject: Re: [Histonet] See You Soon
To: Sarah Dysart 
Cc: "histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu"

Message-ID:

Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1

CONGRATULATIONS SARAH! I hope you love the new position!

:-)


On Wed, Nov 27, 2013 at 11:13 AM, Sarah Dysart  wrote:

> Hey guys and gals...I have taken a new position as Pathology 
> Supervisor at North Austin Medical Center here in Austin...so I am 
> unsubscribing for now, but have no fear...I will be back ASAP with my 
> new email address.  Hope everyone has a great Turkey Day!!
>
> Signing off for now...
>
> Sarah Goebel-Dysart, BA, HT(ASCP), QIHC (ASCP) Histotechnologist Mirna 
> Therapeutics
> 2150 Woodward Street
> Suite 100
> Austin, Texas  78744
> (512)901-0900 ext. 6912
>
> ___
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[Histonet] RE: Microwave Processors

[Mayer,Toysha N]

Tim is right, fixation is the key to microwave processing.  Size of the tissue 
is very important for fixation, so be aware of that as well.  Once you work out 
the times per change of reagent the tissues should be just fine.  To avoid 
being concerned about the melted paraffin, invest in a paraffin tank.  You know 
like the big coffee pot dispensers.  It will be well worth it in the end. 
One other thing is to make sure when you dispose of the alcohol that you do not 
accidentally get water on the tissue.  I used to pour the alcohol down the 
drain (before we had to put it in a waste container) and would wash it down 
with water, let's just say the tissue got water on them and the results were 
bad.   
MW are good for same day biopsies because they can shorten the TAT.  It works 
great for GI bx.

Sincerely,

Toysha N. Mayer, MBA, HT(ASCP)
tnma...@mdanderson.org
Instructor/Education Coordinator
Program in Histotechnology
School of Health Professions
MD Anderson Cancer Center
713-563.3481

Message: 8
Date: Fri, 27 Sep 2013 22:12:06 +
From: "Morken, Timothy" 
Subject: [Histonet] RE: Microwave Processors
To: "Dubansky, Benjamin" ,
"histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu"

Message-ID: <761e2b5697f795489c8710bcc72141ff09b...@ex07.net.ucsf.edu>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

Ben, we used a Thermo Histowave II (made by Electron Beam Sciences) for many 
years for rush transplant biopsies. It worked Ok and the results were about 90% 
of the quality of regularly-processed tissue - however  I think the slightly 
lessened quality was the shorter fixation time the bx had - maybe 2 hours from 
excision to starting processing.  We did not do formalin fixation in the MW 
processor. 

The MW tissue processor part took about 15 minutes and required several manual 
changes of solutions, so was in a fume hood. It was more of a hassle to keep 
melted paraffin around than to run the processor. We kept the MW containers and 
paraffin ready in a dedicated oven. We used it daily so it was routine. 

The thing finally died and we now use a Peloris processor for Rush bx. The 
results are similar. Again, probably due to short fixation.

MW processing should not be any scarier than any other processing.  It simply 
requires validation, in which you define the results you expect and then work 
towards that in the workup.


Tim Morken
Supervisor, Electron Microscopy/Neuromuscular Special Studies Department of 
Pathology UC San Francisco Medical Center



-Original Message-
From: histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu 
[mailto:histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of Dubansky, 
Benjamin
Sent: Friday, September 27, 2013 1:51 PM
To: histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
Subject: [Histonet] Microwave Processors

Can some of you weigh in on how you feel about microwave histoprocessors?  I am 
terrified that my samples will end up like raisins.  "They" swear that these 
milestone processors are just as good as any other method, in terms of quality. 
 I'ts all I have right now and it is very tempting to use it, although I am 
considering doing things the old fashioned way.  And I am talking about 
pre-processor old fashioned way.  I am that scared.

Ben

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End of Histonet Digest, Vol 118, Issue 48
*

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[Histonet] RE: Histonet Digest, Vol 118, Issue 35

[Mayer,Toysha N]

Hey, I'm boiling some molds now on a hot plate, in hot soapy water, in a metal 
paraffin pot.  

Oh and the left over coffee from yesterday might melt the nitrile. Depending on 
who made it.

Sincerely,

Toysha N. Mayer, MBA, HT(ASCP)
tnma...@mdanderson.org
Instructor/Education Coordinator
Program in Histotechnology
School of Health Professions
MD Anderson Cancer Center
713-563.3481


Message: 4
Date: Thu, 19 Sep 2013 11:09:25 -0700
From: jeff lowen 
Subject: RE: [Histonet] RE: Bunsen Burner
To: Paula Sicurello 
Cc: "Histonet Post \(histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu\)"
, "Hannen,   Valerie"

Message-ID: 
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"

will hot coffee melt the nitrile?

Date: Thu, 19 Sep 2013 13:58:09 -0400
Subject: Re: [Histonet] RE: Bunsen Burner
From: pat...@gmail.com
To: lowenj...@hotmail.com
CC: billodonn...@catholichealth.net; valerie.han...@parrishmed.com; 
histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu

Message: 10
Date: Fri, 20 Sep 2013 09:41:15 -0400
From: Jim Burchette 
Subject: Re: [Histonet] RE: bunsen burner at the embedding center
To: "Davis, Cassie" 
Cc: histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
Message-ID:

Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1

Back in the 70's we would boil metal base molds in water using a bunsen
burner and a 3 legged ring stand.
On Sep 20, 2013 9:37 AM, "Davis, Cassie"  wrote:

> Hi Valerie,
> When I started in Histo in 90' everybody used the alcohol
> burners...Open flame concern became a concerned and the separate forcep
> warmers were purchase because the old embedding centers did not have the
> nice warmers like the new ones do. The last place I worked at had an old
> embedding center when I started but we weren't allowed open flames.
> Fortunately, we found an unused Bacteria Incinerator that Micro. wasn't
> using and used that until that embedding center died. That worked great!
>
> Cassandra Davis
> cda...@che-east.org
> 302-575-8095

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[Histonet] RE: Histonet Digest, Vol 118, Issue 23

[Mayer,Toysha N]

To the Samurai Pathologist,
I, in no way was attempting to 'lump you into a derogatory statement' about 
older pathologists.  According to your posts, you value the knowledge and 
experience of the techs you encounter.  I respect and applaud that. Wish we had 
more vocal ones like you.
Please forgive me if it sounded that way.  I am a big enough girl to apologize 
for an inadvertent insult.  Not my intention.  
Some older pathologists have only been in one or two labs in their careers and 
are reluctant to realize that times have changed and that techs have to be 
acknowledged and recognized for their work.


Sincerely,

Toysha N. Mayer, MBA, HT(ASCP)
tnma...@mdanderson.org
Instructor/Education Coordinator
Program in Histotechnology
School of Health Professions
MD Anderson Cancer Center
713-563.3481



Message: 9
Date: Thu, 12 Sep 2013 13:41:44 +
From: "Marcum, Pamela A" 
Subject: RE: [Histonet] Re: Unregistered HT
To: "'Bob Richmond'" ,
"Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu"

Message-ID:
<41d3a1af6fef0643bdc89e0516a6ea32d3158...@mail2node2.ad.uams.edu>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

Thank you Bob!  I remember when pathology residents had to spend some time in 
histology learning at least enough to know we were a team not enemies.  
Residents now barely get to see the Histology Lab so expecting them to see us 
as anything other than labor is a part of the issue.  Their world is changing 
and I am not sure how it will play out for AP as whole.  

Deming was very sure as you stated that worker feedback and more importantly 
input into the process of every area of manufacturing was the key to having a 
both a creative and happy workforce.  Deming wanted to encourage creativity for 
the workers so they were part of the whole process.  We are rarely asked for 
input in any area of the work arena due to the tiered system that has developed 
in all areas of employment today.  It is usually the squeaky wheel that get the 
grease or in this improvements in any area of the workplace and life.

Pam Marcum

-Original Message-
From: histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu 
[mailto:histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of Bob Richmond
Sent: Thursday, September 12, 2013 8:22 AM
To: Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
Subject: [Histonet] Re: Unregistered HT

Since somebody mentioned the Samurai Pathologist (who is now 74 years old and 
in his 50th year in pathology) -

I agree with most of what's been said here and I won't repeat it.

>From the pathologist's viewpoint - remember that most pathologists are 
>now
on salary (or soon will be) and don't have a dog in the fight about doing the 
job as cheaply as possible.

I think that a very large part of the problem is that most pathologists haven't 
a clue as to what goes on in the histology lab (that's why we cram cassettes 
full of fatty breast tissue), and that pathologists need to acquire this 
knowledge in residency, to the degree that they can teach and trouble-shoot or 
work with senior technologists who can. It's particularly important that 
pathologists learn to embed.

Edwards Deming was an economist who grew up in "operations research" during 
World War 2. After the War he tried to get the automotive industry to adopt his 
methods. The executives laughed at him (and still do in the business schools, I 
think), so he took his ideas to Japan, where they built the Japanese automative 
industry. Deming's major idea (if I understand him
correctly) was that workers need constant specific feedback about what they're 
doing.

I think that the establishment of effective feedback from pathologist to 
histotechnologist is the first step in solving the problem we've been talking 
about. And I think that means a pathologist sitting down with a 
histotechnologist and reviewing some of the day's slides every blessed day.

Bob Richmond
Samurai Pathologist
Maryville TN
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[Histonet] RE: Equipment selection (Huggins, Haley - MRMC)

[Mayer,Toysha N]

See if they can switch out something else for whatever you are unsure of.  Add 
a cryostat, or cassette writer instead of the coverslipper if that is not what 
you want.
They may go for that.

Sincerely,

Toysha N. Mayer, MBA, HT(ASCP)
tnma...@mdanderson.org
Instructor/Education Coordinator
Program in Histotechnology
School of Health Professions
MD Anderson Cancer Center
713-563.3481


To: Rene J Buesa ,
"histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu"

Message-ID:
<4f36ec93a5737d4f8a2974e8fb8e260615f5698...@phx-msg-007-n2.chw.edu>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"

I actually know all the equipment. Well, I know 3 of the pieces really well, 
the Leica Bond Max is new to me. I did go to another lab to see it as well as 
the Leica stainer/coverslipper. I was impressed with the Bond Max, not as much 
with the coverslipper part of the stainer/coverslipper. The big issue I am 
having is if I want to go with the Bond Max, I technically need to go with the 
Leica stainer/coverslipper because it is lumped into a big package deal. If I 
want the Sakura Prisma stainer/film coverslipper, I go with the Dako 
immunostainer. I am having trouble deciding. It is boiling down to money, which 
sucks since I might be forced to go with something that I might not be happy 
with in the future.

Haley

To: Huggins, Haley - MRMC; histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
Subject: Re: [Histonet] Equipment selection

I used the Sakura and the Dako, but it seems that the Leica Bond Max is getting 
popularity. Why don't you  go to a lab where they are in use and take a look?
Ren? J.

From: "Huggins, Haley - MRMC" 
mailto:haley.hugg...@dignityhealth.org>>
To: 
"histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu" 
mailto:histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu>>
Sent: Wednesday, September 11, 2013 4:46 PM
Subject: [Histonet] Equipment selection

Hi all,

I am trying to decide on what equipment to purchase. I have picked the 
processor, microtomes, embedding centers and a few other pieces, but now I 
still need to decide on the H&E Stainer and the immunostainer. My options I 
have in front of me are for the H&E stainer are Sakura Prisma stainer/film 
coverslipper and the Leica ST5020-CV5030 stainer/glass coverslipper. For the 
Immunostainer, I am looking at the Dako Autostainer and the Leica Bond Max. Any 
advice on any of these instruments would be greatly appreciated. I am trying to 
finalize my decision pretty quickly. Thank you in advance for any input.



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[Histonet] RE:Unregistered HT

[Mayer,Toysha N]

I actually agree with Rene on some points. 
 In the past, and in some current labs, that mentality of just get the work 
done prevails. It happens more in small labs than in larger ones now. However 
the tide is starting to change.  While it may be years before the old regime 
mentality retires out (we all know that pathologists don't really retire they 
hang around forever, no offense Samurai pathologist), management is changing.  
We must demonstrate to ourselves that we matter. Too many places still allow 
the docs to control the lab and it has hindered us.  It has to do with the 
separation of medicine and business. Not all docs think monkeys can do our job, 
I know some that understand our value.

I don't know what category to place myself in, an old timer or a young buck,  I 
have 20 years in and have paid my dues.  I was disrespected, overlooked and 
scraped floors, but I stayed around.  Sometimes I take offense at those who 
discredit the OJT route, I did it.  But I also had a BS degree.  I take offense 
at those who look down on me because I do have a degree, and passed my test.  
Those were my choices, and I wanted to better position myself for promotion.  
Some really good techs have no degree, or certification and I would consult 
with them in a heartbeat.  I care about what I do, it matters, so I take pride 
in my sections and stains.
To get our respect we should support our schools (not just because I teach) 
because they are the ones who can demonstrate the proper skills to students.  
To do this realize that schools need students to stay open, so send some their 
way.  The faculty cannot teach without them.  Be willing to serve as a clinical 
site to teach what you know, especially if you think they are doing it wrong.  
Remember that the faculty are under pressure to graduate students so make sure 
that you support them, don't get mad when they take in more students.  We all 
want to eat. 
Suggest to your HT's that they go back to get a BS to move up.  Facilities are 
beginning to require supervisors and managers to have that 4yr degree.  
Everyone should mentor others to keep things going.
Lastly,  as techs we need to get out of the 'I am not going to train someone to 
push me out' mentality.  We can all learn from each other.  That is why so many 
new techs can only operate an instrument and not understand the theory.  It 
makes the whole field look bad.  
Unregistered HT's were  provided the opportunity to take the test.  Some could 
not afford it, others did not see the need.  Now some are locked into a job and 
cannot leave because of it.  Hospitals are requiring certification for 
employment that is good.  It is a step towards improving the field.  
I will never say that registered techs are better than unregistered ones, but I 
will say that those letters behind your name can get you a little further ahead 
nowadays.  My mama taught me that.


Sincerely,

Toysha N. Mayer, MBA, HT(ASCP)
tnma...@mdanderson.org
Instructor/Education Coordinator
Program in Histotechnology
School of Health Professions
MD Anderson Cancer Center
713-563.3481





This very long thread deals with a very complicated and ages long issue so I 
would like to add my opinion.
The fundamental issue is that the pathologists do not respect the histotechs 
because for them the only thing that matters is that the sections are good, 
well stained and finished on time. That is all!
If they can get some well trained chimpanzees doing these tasks they would be 
OK with that and they do not give a dam about how much we make or what we know 
as long as the sections are goo, well stained and on time. Sometimes they 
decide to "do something" is a histotech completely sick and tired of being 
disrespected threatens to leave to other lab.
The other factor against the histotechs are the managers that prefer to pay the 
least amount possible and see a histotech with higher education as a potential 
"money pit" for their budget because they will have to pay them more.
Additionally some histotech with higher education are not the best from the 
quality results point of view and perhaps those with more experience and 
quality of work are those old histotechs with 20 or more years of experience 
that usually have been grandfathered and some not even graduated from high 
school.
When I started in this trade (1952) I remember that I was in pre-medical year 
and learning how to do the basics (embed, section, stain) with the hope of 
being contracted at the "wonderful" salary of $30/month but that was not to be 
because the professor head of the department gave the position to a cousin of 
him and I was supposed to train her, something that did not occur because I 
left and he had to start all over again.
Hiring a janitor or a?cleaning lady to do histology work was not an infrequent 
occurrence in the mid 1950's and even 30 years later.
Why? Again because what the pathologists wanted out of the histotech i.e. good 
sections the cheapest t

[Histonet] RE: Uncertified histotechs

[Mayer,Toysha N]

It can be difficult to find employment without certification, however I have 
seen techs with certification who cannot perform.  It does depend on the 
facility and the environment.  Some say it is for liability purposes (in case 
there is a case that was mishandled) and some say for the regulations for 
health care law.  Either way it can be an asset, and I'm not just saying that 
because it's what I do.  
I did OJT, and then took the test because my supervisor said I had to.  The 
benefit was it has not been very difficult meeting the basic qualifications for 
jobs.  The only drawback is there is no standard amongst employers on position 
names (histotechnician for less than 5 yrs experience and histotechnologist for 
more than 5 yrs).  Certification and education can open doors for more complex 
testing in the future, especially if we (histotechs) want to remain in charge 
of our destiny's.  
So yes, the positions for non-certified histotechs are diminishing, depending 
on the location of the facility and the availability of techs in the area.  It 
also depends on whether or not there is a program in the area, if there is, the 
competition may be higher.  They can pay a new graduate less, even if they are 
certified, than a very experienced non-certified tech.  

I do agree that requesting a cutting test is a decent measure of baseline 
ability.  I did run into quite a few techs that were certified and cut the 
plastic on the cassette.  

Toysha N. Mayer, MBA, HT(ASCP)
Instructor/Education Coordinator
Program in Histotechnology
School of Health Professions
MD Anderson Cancer Center
713-563.3481

--

Message: 5
Date: Thu, 22 Aug 2013 16:43:10 -0700
From: Jon Hannasch 
Subject: [Histonet] Uncertified Histotechs
To: "histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu"

Message-ID: <04d5279b-c201-4f0a-97c3-6d322a9fd...@maricopa.edu>
Content-Type: text/plain;   charset=us-ascii

Is getting a job as an uncertified histotech a thing of the past? I have a 
friend who has been a very skilled histotech for many years and they have been 
looking for a job for about a year now. Is this due to bad interviewing or a 
lack of certification? I'm curious to see if this has happened to other people. 
They have applied at hospitals and bigger labs such as Caris. Im not asking for 
a job lead for them I'm just more curious if certification has become a 
prerequisite now.




  



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[Histonet] RE: no subject) (Sanjeet Dhirubhai)

[Mayer,Toysha N]

The forceps and paraffin knives that I use are very personal.  I have big 
hands, and some of the smaller ones make me ache after a while.  As long as the 
user is comfortable with the instrument, then they should use what works.  
Making changes such as how the cassettes are placed in the chamber, having 
multiple forceps available and someone to clear off the cold plate would help.  
I like long, smooth, fine tipped Cushing forceps to embed with.  Mine were 
priced at $75.00 a pair a few years ago, and my students only get to see them.  
My knife is actually a denture knife from Buffalo dental.  It is about the size 
of a paring knife, but with a short (1 inch) blade.  They fit good in my hands 
and I don't have to worry about aches after an hour of usage.  
Multiple pairs of forceps available and time to perfect a technique goes a long 
way in embedding.
Hope this helps.

Toysha N. Mayer, MBA, HT(ASCP)
Instructor/Education Coordinator
Program in Histotechnology
School of Health Professions
MD Anderson Cancer Center
713-563.3481


Message: 9
Date: Wed, 7 Aug 2013 06:04:16 -0700 (PDT)
From: Sanjeet Dhirubhai 
Subject: [Histonet] (no subject)
To: "histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu"

Message-ID:
<1375880656.58132.yahoomail...@web161004.mail.bf1.yahoo.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1



?Hi,

I am trying lean up at the embedding system. We have issues where staff have 
their own preference in regards to working on a specific forceps. I am trying 
to standardize this process and eliminate the hassle of having different types 
of forceps. Can anyone help me. Thanks Regards, ?
Sanjeet Dhirubhai - Supervisor Histology ?MLT 


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[Histonet] RE: H&E staining question

[Mayer,Toysha N]

Contact Erika Fredenburg at HCI Sciences.  She and her father may be able to 
help you.
Her email is: efredenbu...@hcisciences.com

Toysha N. Mayer, MBA, HT (ASCP)
Instructor, Education Coordinator
Program in Histotechnology
School of Health Professions
MD Anderson Cancer Center
(713) 563-3481
tnma...@mdanderson.org



Message: 1
Date: Tue, 2 Jul 2013 17:24:08 +
From: Teri Johnson 
Subject: [Histonet] Re: H&E staining question
To: "histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu"

Message-ID: <9f3cfee76e51b64991c7485270890b404978c...@ex4.lj.gnf.org>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

Hi Brett,

I agree with the others, the storage in 70% ETOH is likely not the cause of the 
washed out appearance of the staining.

*   Did the lab that did the H&E staining run a daily control? How did that 
look? Perhaps the tap water they are using went a little funny? Perhaps the 
depar xylene needs refreshing? The hematoxylin is used up? If all the other 
H&Es done that day look good, then look further.

*   Look at the fixative, it is possible to get bad batches of that. It is 
also possible to cram a lot of tissue into a small space resulting in 
inadequate fixation. Or perhaps it was bloody and not changed to fresh 
fixative? Was one sample fixed at room temperature and the other fixed at 4 
degrees C? Was the person doing the necropsy the same among animal batches?

*   Two things might help get better hematoxylin staining - I recall a 
journal article about using antigen retrieval pretreatment to improve H&E 
staining on samples that had been stored in fixative for a prolonged period of 
time. That might help.  Years ago,  I also noticed that the hematoxylin 
counterstained PAS slides looked better than our H&Es, so we put a bucket of 
0.5% periodic acid as an oxidation step before hematoxylin. It needs to be 
rinsed well so there is no periodic acid carryover (that'll kill your 
hematoxylin!), but that might improve your staining.

If you get this figured out, please let us know the cause and fix.

Teri Johnson
Manager, Histology
GNF - San Diego, CA
858-332-4752





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[Histonet] New York Licensure

[Mayer,Toysha N]

Good morning,

This question is for those in the New York state area:  What is needed for an 
HTL to become licensed to work in New York state.  I have two students who are 
moving to the area after graduation (August), and will be eligible to sit for 
the ASCP HTL.  The problem is the license requirements are listing HT as the 
qualifying certification.  One student has contacted a recruiter and the state 
licensure agency and still is not sure what to do.  
The state society said that since there are no HTL programs, a HT exam would 
have to be passed.  Huh???
The students are moving from Texas to New York state, and will hold a BS HTL, 
eligibility date for BOC of Aug 15.
Any help would be appreciated.



Toysha N. Mayer, MBA, HT (ASCP)
Instructor, Education Coordinator
Program in Histotechnology
School of Health Professions
MD Anderson Cancer Center
(713) 563-3481
tnma...@mdanderson.org




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[Histonet] RE: Extra money

[Mayer,Toysha N]

Hey Sarah,

Try the local Community college.  They may have a need for someone to help with 
labs on weekends. Also, try a, god forbid I say this, POD labs.  They are 
growing the area and may need the extra expertise.  The Clinical Research 
companies in the area may also be looking.  I'm surprised CPL isn't looking for 
a pt tech, they usually have openings.
Good luck

Toysha N. Mayer, MBA, HT (ASCP)
Instructor, Education Coordinator
Program in Histotechnology
School of Health Professions
MD Anderson Cancer Center
(713) 563-3481
tnma...@mdanderson.org





Message: 5
Date: Wed, 29 May 2013 20:20:10 +
From: Sarah Dysart 
Subject: [Histonet] Extra Money
To: "histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu"

Message-ID:



Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

Anyone know any ideas on how to make a couple extra bucks a month using our 
histology-awesomeness??


Sarah Goebel-Dysart, BA, HT(ASCP), QIHC (ASCP)
Histotechnologist
Mirna Therapeutics
2150 Woodward Street
Suite 100
Austin, Texas  78744
(512)901-0900 ext. 6912




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[Histonet] Older decal methods

[Mayer,Toysha N]

Hi,

I was wondering if anyone still uses the ion-exchange decal method and/or the 
electrolytic decal method?  If so, could I get some pictures to put in  my 
power points online?  
Also, to any of the new HT or HTL's are there any questions on the registry 
exam about those methods?  My latest graduates didn't have but one about the 
ion-exchange method.
If not then I can begin to phase them out.
Thanks,

Toysha N. Mayer, MBA, HT (ASCP)
Instructor, Education Coordinator
Program in Histotechnology
School of Health Professions
MD Anderson Cancer Center
(713) 563-3481
tnma...@mdanderson.org




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[Histonet] RE: AFB and negative control

[Mayer,Toysha N]

While I don't use a negative control for the AFB, I will use distilled water 
throughout the procedure.  Most of the time the water in the waterbath is 
distilled as well, to rule out contamination there as well.  Make sure the 
waterbath has been disinfected.

Toysha N. Mayer, MBA, HT (ASCP)
Instructor, Education Coordinator
Program in Histotechnology
School of Health Professions
MD Anderson Cancer Center
(713) 563-3481
tnma...@mdanderson.org




Date: Thu, 14 Mar 2013 12:42:30 +
From: Ian R Bernard 
Subject: [Histonet] AFB and Negative Control
To: Lee & Peggy Wenk , "Tighe, Sean T"
,   "histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu"

Message-ID:

Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8"

The only special stain that I know that requires the use of a negative control 
is for the AFB. I understand to rule out false positives as the AFB bacteria 
might exist in tap water. Nevertheless, a good QA practice which we will 
implement now.  

Other than Carson, does anyone know of a regulatory or accreditation agency is 
requiring this as well?  Any suggestion on a good control tissue type? Carson 
recommends uterus.  Also if there is a pick up on the negative slide (link to 
the tap water) will use of distilled water and a repeat procedure fix this?

Any thoughts from fellow histonetters?

Thanks
Ian Bernard






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[Histonet] . Re: Florida license for Histotechs (Brendal Finlay)

[Mayer,Toysha N]

Along that line, what are the requirements for a NY license?  I have an HTL 
student who wants to move there after graduation.  One interpretation was to go 
to school in the state, another was to do a clinical rotation in the state, and 
still a third was to submit the HT scores and pay the fee (from NY state 
society).  The last one doesn't sound right, because what if you are an HTL, 
would you still have to take the HT exam?  I did advise the student to call the 
state board, an HT program, or a hospital in NY to get a clearer understanding. 
 

Toysha N. Mayer, MBA, HT (ASCP)
Instructor, Education Coordinator
Program in Histotechnology
School of Health Professions
MD Anderson Cancer Center
(713) 563-3481
tnma...@mdanderson.org

Message: 1
Date: Wed, 30 Jan 2013 11:59:44 -0600
From: Brendal Finlay 
Subject: Re: [Histonet] Florida license for Histotechs
To: Gail Marcella 
Cc: "histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu"

Message-ID:

Content-Type: text/plain;   charset=us-ascii

Here is the link for qualification information through the Florida Department 
of Medical Quality Assurance. 

http://www.doh.state.fl.us/mqa/ClinLab/clp_lic_req.html

On Jan 30, 2013, at 11:34 AM, Gail Marcella  wrote:

> Hi - I was wondering if anyone knows anything about obtaining a Florida 
> license for Histotechs. I work in NJ , which doesn't require a license, yet, 
> but I also have a NY state License. Can I just transfer it over or do I have 
> to take a test or something?
> Gail Marcella
> ___
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> Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
> http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet


*

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[Histonet] RE: Histonet Digest, Vol 110, Issue 27

[Mayer,Toysha N]

Try contacting Pauline Grennan at Texas Children's Hospital Neuropathology Lab, 
832-824-1000 is the main hospital number.  She has a number of specialized 
procedures for all types of neuro tissue.


Toysha N. Mayer, MBA, HT (ASCP)
Instructor, Education Coordinator
Program in Histotechnology
School of Health Professions
MD Anderson Cancer Center
(713) 563-3481
tnma...@mdanderson.org



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--

Message: 3
Date: Mon, 21 Jan 2013 11:58:33 -0600
From: "Webb, Dorothy L" 
Subject: [Histonet] brain tissue
To: "'histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu'"

Message-ID:
<65365f35c0f2ef4d846ec3ca73e49c430227affbc...@hpemx3.healthpartners.int>

Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

How is everyone processing brain tissue from brain surgery, not necessarily a 
small bx?  Does anyone have a separately timed process for such tissue to get 
them out faster?  And what is the minimum fixation time suggested?

Thanks,  Dorothy Webb



  

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[Histonet] RE: Histonet Digest, Vol 110, Issue 23

[Mayer,Toysha N]

Try Annetta Walker.  Here is her website info.  
http://burnett-walkerlabs.com/

She has been doing MOHS for years and started training and setup professionally.

Good luck.

Toysha N. Mayer, MBA, HT (ASCP)
Instructor, Education Coordinator
Program in Histotechnology
School of Health Professions
MD Anderson Cancer Center
(713) 563-3481
tnma...@mdanderson.org




--

Message: 13
Date: Thu, 17 Jan 2013 11:52:17 -0600
From: Glen Dawson 
Subject: [Histonet] MOHs Training
To: histonet 
Message-ID: 
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"



 



From: ihcman2...@hotmail.com
To: histonet-requ...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
Subject: FW: MOHs Training
Date: Thu, 17 Jan 2013 07:18:28 -0600




All,
 
My lab is in the process of aiding one of our hospital's sites with MOHs and 
I'd like to find out what a MOHs lab might charge for training our techs
 
if there was such a service available? 
 
What might that process be?  How long should it take to get a good histotech 
with no MOHs experience up and running? 
 

What do other labs' training processes look like compared to ours?  Is there 
any place that trains outside techs for such a circumstance?  
 
Do you have national contacts that may know someone who knows someone, etc.?
 
Any answers to any/all of the questions above would be an enormous help and 
would be greatly appreciated.
 
Thank-you in Advance,
 
Glen Dawson  BS, HT(ASCP), QIHC
Histology Technical Specialist
Mercy Health System
Janesville, WI



 
  

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End of Histonet Digest, Vol 110, Issue 23
*

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[Histonet] RE: Histonet Digest, Vol 110, Issue 9

[Mayer,Toysha N]

Amy,


Try contacting the local hospitals for some blocks.  For trichrome and mucin, 
you can use small intestine.  Those are usually readily available from a local 
facility.  Iron uses liver or spleen and those can be obtained the same way.  
By networking with other facilities you can begin a barter system for obtaining 
controls.  
I can send you an iron control block next week, is the address provided correct?

As for purchasing controls, only get those that you cannot get normal tissue 
for, like microorganisms.


Good luck,

Toysha N. Mayer, MBA, HT (ASCP)
Instructor, Education Coordinator
Program in Histotechnology
School of Health Professions
MD Anderson Cancer Center
(713) 563-3481
tnma...@mdanderson.org


--

Message: 9
Date: Wed, 9 Jan 2013 00:07:09 +
From: "Johnston, Amy" 
Subject: [Histonet] Control Tissue
To: "histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu"

Message-ID:
<8f6c0286892b2544b10e5f31f1c7075d27b81...@ipsprdmbox1.oregonmed.net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

Is there any way to obtain control blocks? We are in the process of starting up 
a new histology lab and control slides are a lot more expensive than I 
thought:( .  I have purchased several boxes already, I was hoping I could find 
the others as they should be easy to find.  (I tried NSH, they no longer have a 
bank of blocks.)  I still need controls for trichrome, iron and mucin, any 
suggestions?

Amy Johnston HT(ASCP)
Histology Technician
Oregon Medical Group
4140 Quest Drive
Eugene, OR 97402
541-463-2163




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[Histonet] RE: Number of blocks (Contact HistoCare)

[Mayer,Toysha N]

Another thing to consider is, is this averaged out over several hours or not.  
Sitting and cutting 50 blocks in one hour of time is a stretch, but if I 
average it out over 2-3 hours I can cut almost that many (40).  That would be 
multiple types of tissues and varying number of sections, but not just time 
myself and cut for one hour and stop.  Also think of how long it takes to trim 
those blocks. 
While the 40-50 number is high, look at how many are cut over time, it should 
average out as 30+ per hour.  

Toysha Mayer




Message: 1
Date: Thu, 25 Oct 2012 11:23:07 -0500
From: Contact HistoCare 
Subject: [Histonet] Number of blocks
To: "histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu"

Message-ID: 
Content-Type: text/plain;   charset=us-ascii

Hi,

To most folks that number does seem high but I've met many old school techs who 
can do this easily. One of my first learning experiences was watching a 57 year 
old woman crank out tons of slides with no errors and who regularly got praises 
from the pathologists for producing the most beautiful slides.

While I have never been required to produce a certain amount within a certain 
window, I have built up the ability to cut a lot more than 50 per hour. I have 
even doubled this number. Of course it depends on the tissue type, but assuming 
properly decalcified bone, nothing popping out of the block, and a cold block 
of ice, it's very easy for me to produce a high quality slide at 3,4,5 microns. 
I get compliments all the time of my slides.

My methods are quite different from most techs though. When facing, I don't 
waste movements. I actually count the rotations and spend less than 8 seconds 
facing each block. I also get the right section usually in about the third or 
fourth crank and I only put at the most two sections in the water bath to pick 
up. 

I don't cut unnecessary ribbons just to have them sit in the water bath and 
eventually have to wipe away with the Kimwipe, which in my opinion is wasteful 
of both materials and time. I also make sure I have enough ice to keep the 
blocks very cold and adequately hydrated.

I'm not sure if being in decent physical shape matters but I think it gives me 
the arm stamina to do this. I use only my wrists and fingers and not my whole 
arm in the rotational motion.

Hope this helps,


M


www.HistoCare.com



>>> From: Dorothy Ragland-Glass 
>>> To: Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
>>> Sent: Wednesday, October 24, 2012 8:38 AM
>>> Subject: [Histonet] Number of blocks
>>> 
>>> It was annouced by a histo lab manager that techs are expected to cut 40-50 
>>> blocks per hour. That seems to me to be rather high. I don't see quality 
>>> slides being turned out. It is quantity and profit above patient care. I am 
>>> old school, and I remember something about quality and patient first. 
>>> Besides  what kind of impact on morality of the techs, back problems and 
>>> carpal tunnel syndrom is laying ahead for the cutter after cranking the 
>>> microtome repeatedly that many blocks without a break.
>>> 



--

Message: 2
Date: Thu, 25 Oct 2012 16:28:47 +
From: "Bartlett, Jeanine (CDC/OID/NCEZID)" 
Subject: RE: [Histonet] Number of blocks
To: Contact HistoCare ,
"histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu"

Message-ID:

Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

You mention how many rotations you use for facing your blocks. That assumes 
whoever did the embedding did a good job.  And even with no unnecessary 
ribbons.whether there are extra sections or not, you still have to keep the 
water bath scrupulously clean which means wiping out with a Kimwipe after each 
block...whether there are ribbons floating or not.

Jeanine H. Bartlett
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Infectious Diseases Pathology Branch
404-639-3590
jeanine.bartl...@cdc.hhs.gov



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[Histonet] RE:Changing dynamics in histotechnology (Jesus Ellin)

[Mayer,Toysha N]

Being in HTL education I truly would love to expose, teach, and train entry 
level techs in the new and upcoming procedures.  I am willing and ready to 
embark on this myself to assure my students get a good foundation in these 
areas, because they are the future.  Alas, we have to remember that programs 
teach and train what is in Carson's text, because the BOC is based on that.  In 
order to get the educational programs to teach those new and wonderful 
techniques, we first have to get it into the text, and then onto the exam.  
Our students come thinking that they will have the opportunity to learn these 
new techniques, but in reality the lab staff is too territorial to do this.  
Few want to train a new tech in these technique's, because they don't want to 
lose their job to them.  
Employers should also push continuing education for the employees, this would 
encourage them to learn new skills.  If it is a part of the annual evaluation, 
then the ee's will have to complete it to get their annual raise.
Get the info in Carson's and on the BOC and then the HTL trainees can learn 
this in a program. That would be the way to push this along, because if not 
then we will lose it to other areas.

Toysha



Message: 5
Date: Mon, 17 Sep 2012 19:22:19 +
From: Jesus Ellin 
Subject: Re: [Histonet] Changing dynamics in histotechnology
To: Judy O'Rourke 
Cc: "histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu"

Message-ID: 
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="Windows-1252"

With mixed emotions I read this article, not because of its context or 
information, but rather the outlook for our future.  

I would like to pole on the histonet today, who is enter in:

1.  Digital Pathology
2.  Molecular Testing (ISH, PCR, Next Gene Sequencing)
3.  Automation Semi to complete
4.  Barcoding 

A good question to ask is, are we, as Histology professionals, positioned to 
make this change.  Case in point, how many people are signed up and preparing 
for this transition at the NSH convention this year?  

Sent from my iPad

On Sep 17, 2012, at 8:29 AM, "Judy O'Rourke"  wrote:

> Hello...
> 
> In Clinical Lab Products? just-released September issue, the article
> ?Changing Dynamics in Histotechnology? addresses the challenges and trends
> you face daily. William DeSalvo, B.S., HTL(ASCP), chair, NSH Quality Control
> Committee, is quoted.
> 
> Please share comments on CLP?s Facebook page, where I?ve just posted the
> article: 
> http://www.facebook.com/pages/Clinical-Lab-Products/56624886500#!/pages/Clin
> ical-Lab-Products/56624886500
> 
> Thank you!
> 
> Judy 
> 
> JUDY O?ROURKE |  Editor
> Clinical Lab Products
> 6100 Center Drive, Suite 1020, Los Angeles, CA 90045
> office 619.659.1065 | fax 619.659.1065
> jorou...@allied360.com | www.clpmag.com
> 

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[Histonet] RE: Histonet Digest, Vol 106, Issue 11

[Mayer,Toysha N]

--

Well, actually that is something that I do not teach since that method is not 
on the BOC exam.  I only teach what is on the exam and usual methods in 
laboratories.  If the ASCP places it on the exam then I will cover it, but not 
until then, they go by what is in Carson's text.  
 None of our past students have mentioned anything like that on the registry 
Rene, but not all of them have taken it this year.
The Lean methodology that I was referring to is 'taking the waste out of 
procedures' to speed up the workflow, and adding the step of drying before 
coverslipping may slow things down.  The number crunchers will look at it that 
way. 


Toysha

Message: 6
Date: Tue, 11 Sep 2012 09:01:35 -0700 (PDT)
From: Rene J Buesa 
Subject: Re: [Histonet] RE: air drying special stain slides rather
    than
To: "Mayer,Toysha N" ,
"'histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu'"

Message-ID:
<1347379295.24904.yahoomail...@web121404.mail.ne1.yahoo.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8

Toysha:
Perhaps you have not oven dried stained slides before, and that explains some 
of your comments, like:
1- if the stained slides are completely dried, the "miscibility" you point out 
is not an issues, because there is nothing to mix with;
2- if you dehydrate ??? clear the stained sections that will take about 15 
minutes per group of up to 25 slides, or even more depending on the protocol 
used in your automated stainer, but if your group of slides in their rack are 
placed in an oven at 60??C for 5 minutes it will just that, 5 minutes reducing 
the usual TAT for each staining procedure;
3- any oven can accommodate more than 100 stained slides in their racks and the 
TAT is shortened by oven drying, no matter how many slides you are working with;
4- I really do not know where you can find that "extreme heat" can affect the 
tissue sections. All tissue sections are fixed ??? processed ??? dried (usually 
at the same 60??C before staining) ??? stained and an additional step at 60??C 
to dry before cover-slipping is just that, an additional step at 60??C
5- The so called "Lean" technologies do not refer to staining only, they have 
to do with the whole work-flow and an additional drying step at 60??C cannot 
affect in a negative way to the work-flow
6- after staining you will oven??dry the sections.
I think you should try the method instead.
Ren?? J.



From: "Mayer,Toysha N" 
To: "'histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu'" 
Sent: Tuesday, September 11, 2012 11:41 AM
Subject: [Histonet] RE: air drying special stain slides rather than


Ooh, great question for my students next semester.?? 
Your answer is the counterstain, some counterstains may require dehydration 
after rinsing, or some may not. Adjusting the times of the counterstain is not 
the issue as much as?? the solvent of the counterstain.
?? 
Rene, while I do acknowledge that the xylene may/will cause hazards, we must 
think of the miscibility of the clearant and the dehydrant, as well as the 
amount of time involved.?? The amount of time involved to blot and air dry the 
slides will affect the TAT for the specimen.?? 5 min may be ok if you have a 
small amount of slides, but with a larger number of slides, it will be 
considerably more than 5.?? Also Lean methodologies would not apply in that 
case. With automation, the extreme heat involved with a stain dryer may affect 
the tissue on the slide.

There are some stains that can be blotted, cleared and coverslipped, but using 
the alcohol to remove excess water and counter stain is better in my opinion.


Toysha N. Mayer, MBA, HT (ASCP)
Instructor, Education Coordinator
Program in Histotechnology
School of Health Professions
MD Anderson Cancer Center
(713) 563-3481
tnma...@mdanderson.org




Message: 16
Date: Tue, 11 Sep 2012 10:32:08 -0400
From: "Diana McCaig" 
Subject: [Histonet] air drying special stain slides rather than
?? dehydrate?? and clear
To: 
Message-ID:
?? 
Content-Type: text/plain;?? charset="us-ascii"

I was hoping to get information on why special stains are dehydrated, cleared 
and mounted vs allowing them to be blotted dry, air dried then coverslip.



Every procedure I have ever encountered always indicates to dehydrate and clear 
but I have heard where some labs are blotting the slides , allowing to air dry 
(probably not set standard time) and dipped in xylene prior to cover 
slipping.?? Reason given is that the counterstain gets washed out.?? Wouldn't 
adjusting the times be a better resolution.



I understand residual water could be present and cause long term issues on 
storage but wanted some other opinions on this process. 



Diana



--

Message: 17
Date: Tue, 11 Sep 2012 07:52:05 -0700 (PDT)
From: Rene J Buesa 

[Histonet] RE: air drying special stain slides rather than

[Mayer,Toysha N]

Ooh, great question for my students next semester.  
Your answer is the counterstain, some counterstains may require dehydration 
after rinsing, or some may not. Adjusting the times of the counterstain is not 
the issue as much as  the solvent of the counterstain.
  
Rene, while I do acknowledge that the xylene may/will cause hazards, we must 
think of the miscibility of the clearant and the dehydrant, as well as the 
amount of time involved.  The amount of time involved to blot and air dry the 
slides will affect the TAT for the specimen.  5 min may be ok if you have a 
small amount of slides, but with a larger number of slides, it will be 
considerably more than 5.  Also Lean methodologies would not apply in that 
case. With automation, the extreme heat involved with a stain dryer may affect 
the tissue on the slide.

There are some stains that can be blotted, cleared and coverslipped, but using 
the alcohol to remove excess water and counter stain is better in my opinion.


Toysha N. Mayer, MBA, HT (ASCP)
Instructor, Education Coordinator
Program in Histotechnology
School of Health Professions
MD Anderson Cancer Center
(713) 563-3481
tnma...@mdanderson.org




Message: 16
Date: Tue, 11 Sep 2012 10:32:08 -0400
From: "Diana McCaig" 
Subject: [Histonet] air drying special stain slides rather than
dehydrate   and clear
To: 
Message-ID:

Content-Type: text/plain;   charset="us-ascii"

I was hoping to get information on why special stains are dehydrated, cleared 
and mounted vs allowing them to be blotted dry, air dried then coverslip.

 

Every procedure I have ever encountered always indicates to dehydrate and clear 
but I have heard where some labs are blotting the slides , allowing to air dry 
(probably not set standard time) and dipped in xylene prior to cover slipping.  
Reason given is that the counterstain gets washed out.  Wouldn't adjusting the 
times be a better resolution.

 

I understand residual water could be present and cause long term issues on 
storage but wanted some other opinions on this process. 

 

Diana



--

Message: 17
Date: Tue, 11 Sep 2012 07:52:05 -0700 (PDT)
From: Rene J Buesa 
Subject: Re: [Histonet] air drying special stain slides rather than
dehydrate   and clear
To: Diana McCaig ,
"histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu"

Message-ID:
<1347375125.72189.yahoomail...@web121405.mail.ne1.yahoo.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1

Diana:
The most simple answer to your question is: "Because that is the way it has 
been done for more than 150 years".
The second question would be: "Is it necessary?" and the short answer to this 
question is: NO!!!
As a matter of fact, one of the steps I have developed to totally eliminate 
xylene from the histology lab refers to the "clearing" of stained sections, not 
only "special stains" (the so called HC and IHC) but the routine as well (the 
H&E).
Now, the "secret" to a successful drying of the stained slides is NOT to let 
them air dry because that will take not only too much time, but you can never 
be sure if the section is completely dry and if you add the mounting medium to 
a not completely dried section, you will have transparency problems.
The correct way of doing that is by drying the stained sections during 5 
minutes at 60?C in an oven.
Under separate cover I am sending you something I published about your question 
and other aspects of how to completely eliminate xylene from ALL steps in the 
histology laboratory.
Ren? J.



From: Diana McCaig 
To: histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
Sent: Tuesday, September 11, 2012 10:32 AM
Subject: [Histonet] air drying special stain slides rather than dehydrate and 
clear

I was hoping to get information on why special stains are dehydrated, cleared 
and mounted vs allowing them to be blotted dry, air dried then coverslip.



Every procedure I have ever encountered always indicates to dehydrate and clear 
but I have heard where some labs are blotting the slides , allowing to air dry 
(probably not set standard time) and dipped in xylene prior to cover slipping.? 
Reason given is that the counterstain gets washed out.? Wouldn't adjusting the 
times be a better resolution.



I understand residual water could be present and cause long term issues on 
storage but wanted some other opinions on this process. 



Diana


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[Histonet] RE: Histonet Digest, Vol 106, Issue 9

[Mayer,Toysha N]

Thanks for the plug Jay.  
Porscha, 
Under a separate cover I have also sent you some information on our BS HTL 
program at MD Anderson. We start taking applications in October for next fall.  
When will you be moving to Texas?  
Hope to hear from you soon.

Toysha N. Mayer, MBA, HT (ASCP)
Instructor, Education Coordinator
Program in Histotechnology
School of Health Professions
MD Anderson Cancer Center
(713) 563-3481
tnma...@mdanderson.org






Message: 1
Date: Sun, 9 Sep 2012 19:41:15 +
From: joelle weaver 
Subject: RE: [Histonet] Needing Advice
To: , 
Message-ID: 
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"


PorshaIf I were you I would get an HT or HTL certification from the ASCP and 
then see what the market is like and also what the state licensure is where you 
will be located. 




Joelle Weaver MAOM, HTL (ASCP) QIHC
 > Date: Sun, 9 Sep 2012 09:22:50 -0700
> From: porscha.gradd...@yahoo.com
> To: histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
> Subject: [Histonet] Needing Advice
> 
> Ok, here's my issue(s).  I currently reside in Georgia & will be graduating 
> in Dec. with an associates degree in medical lab.  My plan was to attend a 
> local college and become a certified histologist.  Here's the kicker, I will 
> be moving to the Spring, Tx area soon after graduation (which was not in my 
> original plan),  but I was wondering if it is best for me to be certified in 
> Ga. or in Tx.  Also, is it best for me to be certified in histology at a 
> school or will on the job training do?  I just need a little direction.  
> Thanks everyone!
> 
> Sent from Yahoo! Mail on Android
> 
> 
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--

Message: 2
Date: Sun, 9 Sep 2012 14:55:31 -0500
From: Jay Lundgren 
Subject: Re: [Histonet] Needing Advice
To: joelle weaver 
Cc: histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
Message-ID:

Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1

There is no state licensure for histotechs in Texas.  Spring is only 25 miles 
from Houston, the 4th largest city in the United States, with a world class 
medical center, including MD Anderson, which runs a histo school.
http://www.mdanderson.org/education-and-research/education-and-training/schools-and-programs/school-of-health-professions/school-of-health-professions-student-catalog/areas-of-study/school-of-health-professions-student-catalog-areas-of-study-histotechnology.html

 Sincerely,

   Jay A. Lundgren, M.S., HTL (ASCP)


--

Message: 3
Date: Sun, 9 Sep 2012 16:48:16 -0700 (PDT)
From: Porscha Graddick 
Subject: [Histonet] Needing Advice
To: "histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu"

Message-ID:
<1347234496.11608.androidmob...@web125305.mail.ne1.yahoo.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

I'd like to thank everyone for their input... I truly appreciate it :)


Sent from Yahoo! Mail on Android




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[Histonet] RE: ] Eosin and the Peloris

[Mayer,Toysha N]

-Original Message-
From: histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu 
[mailto:histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of 
histonet-requ...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
Sent: Sunday, September 09, 2012 12:00 PM
To: histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
Subject: Histonet Digest, Vol 106, Issue 8

Send Histonet mailing list submissions to
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If you don't want eosin in the alcohols, try tinting your formalin with 
hematoxylin.  When I worked at LSU, one of the techs put hematoxylin in the 
formalin that the tissues sat in before going on the processor, after grossing. 
 It gave a light tint to the tissue, but did not interfere with anything else.  
It was not applied directly to the tissue, just the formalin used that day. 
Eosin in the formalin would not work, a more water based stain would.

Hope that helps.

Toysha

Message: 1
Date: Sat, 8 Sep 2012 11:35:46 -0700
From: Madeleine Huey 
Subject: [Histonet] Re: Histonet Digest, Vol 106, Issue 7
To: histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
Message-ID:

Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1

Message: 3
Date: Fri, 7 Sep 2012 10:22:26 -0700 (PDT)
From: angela smith 
Subject: [Histonet] Eosin and the Peloris
To: histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
Message-ID:
<1347038546.72102.yahoomailclas...@web125405.mail.ne1.yahoo.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1

I know the original Peloris states that eosin should not be used in the 
alcohols It does say you can put it in the formalins.

What are you all doing out there to mark your small needle bx and gi bx's?  We 
prefer methods where we add to the reagents on the processor.

We have tried just formalin with eosin and eosin phlox. and it does not do a 
very good job.

thanks


Angela,
We add Eosin in our most purity alcohol bottles (2 bottles with ~ 95%
- 100% ETOH) & they work great.  I do not recommend it in Formalin, because the 
Eosin tend to wash out during the dehydration process.
No loss of small biopsies in my lab yet.
Good Luck!
Madeleine Huey BS, HTL (ASCP) QIHC
Supervisor - Pathology (IPOX & Histology) madelein...@elcaminohospital.org




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[Histonet] RE: Peloris problems

[Mayer,Toysha N]

I used the Peloris at Labcorp for about 2 years.  I liked it a lot.  It tells 
you when the reagents are ready to be changed, and can do two separate runs 
simultaneously.  Like any machine it has drawbacks such as reagent competition 
and no it doesn't tell you how to correct a problem.  One time we were adding 
paraffin and had that door open, the machine would not start until the paraffin 
door was closed, unlike the VIP.  It didn't even tell me to close the door.  I 
know that sounds silly (I should have known to do that), but I was adding cold 
paraffin and did not want to forget to check the level before I left, so it was 
open. We all do that.
The machine was running during Hurricane Ike in Houston, and of course when the 
power went off it locked up.  After the repair guy came out and serviced it, it 
ran like a little workhorse.  We usually ran both chambers overnight and one 
chamber during the day.  We even had a run come out on Saturday, and ran it 
again to come out Monday.
Service was good and prompt, and Leica came and updated the software when 
needed.  Because we ran it so much something went wrong every quarter or so, 
but was not down for more than a day.  I chalked that up to being new and in 
pretty heavy rotation.

Hope this helps.


Toysha N. Mayer, MBA, HT (ASCP)
Instructor, Education Coordinator
Program in Histotechnology
School of Health Professions
MD Anderson Cancer Center
(713) 563-3481
tnma...@mdanderson.org





Message: 4
Date: Fri, 31 Aug 2012 08:33:28 +0100
From: "Gibson, Philip" 
Subject: [Histonet] Peloris problems
To: 
Message-ID: <20120831073330.13d9c448...@nhs-pd1e-esg107.ad1.nhs.net>
Content-Type: text/plain;   charset="us-ascii"

Hi Angela

 

Our lab has repeatedly had problems with the Leica Peloris! 

Fortunately (for Leica) the Peloris processes tissues very well, so our lab has 
persisted with our two machines for around 5 years now.

I believe there is now a "version 2" machine on the market that corrects many 
of the niggles (at one point we had AT LEAST one processor crash every week!), 
and one of our machines was fitted with the updated parts.

Currently, the processors are running more reliably, partly because Leica have 
"forced" us into running longer, cooler wax impregnation steps that have 
resulted in a minimum 15 hour long overnight processing schedule! This has been 
very bad for our workflow, but apparently it is stopping the IPA from foaming 
too much and blocking air lines!

Our only other frustration is the dumb reagent management software which has an 
uncanny knack of trying to use the same solutions for the two retorts, when 
there are clearly 2 brand new pure solutions available to use!

 

It's very frustrating running what (after evaluating several manufacturers 
rival products) seems to be by far the best processor on the market, but one 
that utterly fails at being reliable!

We also run Shandon pathcentres (poor) and a Tissue Tek VIP (reliably 
competent).

 

I'll warn that this is all very much my own personal opinion!!!

 

Regards

 

Phil

 

Date: Wed, 29 Aug 2012 13:52:35 -0700 (PDT)

From: angela smith 

Subject: [Histonet] peloris

To: histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu

Message-ID:

  <1346273555.47173.yahoomailclas...@web125402.mail.ne1.yahoo.com>

Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1

 

Has anyone out there had service issues with your peloris?  Breaking down a 
lot, throwing error codes?  I would like some information as at the moment we 
seem to be the only ones with issues.  Thank you

 

Has anyone had a peloris replaced due to getting a lemon?

 

 



Phil Gibson

Senior Biomedical Scientist

Histopathology Dept

Royal Victoria Infirmary

Newcastle Upon Tyne

NE1 4LP

 

Ext. 24565

Tel. 0191 2824565

 


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[Histonet] RE: Special Stain documentation

[Mayer,Toysha N]

I have seen a phrase in a lot of reports that states: "All controls are 
appropriate," or something to that effect.  I explain that it is a legally 
binding phrase, that is on  reports by the pathologists to verify the control 
is correct.  I have always heard that if the case went to court, the 
pathologist could be asked to testify to that fact.  
The techs also document that the control worked on the log sheet.

Toysha Mayer




--

Message: 2
Date: Mon, 13 Aug 2012 14:35:22 -0700
From: 
Subject: [Histonet] Special Stain documentation
To: "Histonet post" 
Message-ID:

<20120813143522.295dc6182df7e5cbb4f32bc101c30dcc.57d85340c8@email15.secureserver.net>

Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8"

How do others document the results of routine special stain controls to be 
acceptable before reporting patient results (CAP  checklist item ANP.21395)?  
Do the histotechs document the results or do the pathologists - or both??  If 
your pathologists document the results, how do they document them?

Thanks,
Laurie Colbert



--

Message: 3
Date: Mon, 13 Aug 2012 22:06:13 +
From: "Weems, Joyce K." 
Subject: RE: [Histonet] Special Stain documentation
To: "'lau...@blufrogpath.com'" , Histonet post

Message-ID:



Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8"

Our techs document that the controls work. My dream would be that the 
pathologist would document in the report with a phrase something like "Controls 
stain appropriately".

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

-Original Message-
From: histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu 
[mailto:histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of 
lau...@blufrogpath.com
Sent: Monday, August 13, 2012 5:35 PM
To: Histonet post
Subject: [Histonet] Special Stain documentation

How do others document the results of routine special stain controls to be 
acceptable before reporting patient results (CAP  checklist item ANP.21395)?  
Do the histotechs document the results or do the pathologists - or both??  If 
your pathologists document the results, how do they document them?

Thanks,
Laurie Colbert



--





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[Histonet] RE: Teabags (Contact HistoCare)

[Mayer,Toysha N]

You can use teabags to give specimens shape such as EMB and ECC.  Those lose 
particles may not wash through a microcassette, but would just be loose pieces 
in there if not in a bag.  You try to pick up those tiny pieces out of the 
corners.  In a bag you can scrape them off, shape them and put them in the 
mold. Small individual samples such as GI biopsies can go in a biopsy cassette. 
Great question, I am going to add it to my exam for my students.


Toysha N. Mayer, MBA, HT (ASCP)
Instructor, Education Coordinator
Program in Histotechnology
School of Health Professions
MD Anderson Cancer Center
(713) 563-3481
tnma...@mdanderson.org

Hi all,

Just a curiosity of mine, having contracted for many places I've seen many 
different processes, some efficient and some inefficient. I find a lot of labs 
do what they've always done just because they've always done something a 
certain way for so long whether it's useful or not and generally are not 
interested in change.

One of these things I'm referring to is using teabags. I know some of you LOVE 
them, but there are few things I loathe more than trying to dig out a tiny 
biopsy sample from a teabag along with trying to open it while being stuck 
together by the wax. 

Why in the world would anyone ever use teabags when there are microcassettes 
and even biopsy cassettes?

Please let me hear it.


www.HistoCare.com
Histology Staffing for your Lab



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[Histonet] RE: best controls (Bob Richmond)

[Mayer,Toysha N]

   
For trichrome: appendix is the most universal control I know of.   Then maybe a 
kidney.

GMS: store bought controls are nice, but if you live close to the local morgue 
try them, every so often they get a good case that they can spare some.

Hemosiderin: Fetal Liver is good, or as you say dog.  Call the vet or vet 
school and see if they can get you some.  Also ask them for some mast cell 
tissue.  Dogs get mast cells and they stain beautifully.

Amyloid: the problem is with the storage, just freeze the block after you cut 
it.  One block should last you for years.  Also contact the closest amyloidosis 
clinic and see if they can find a place to supply a block.  They would know of 
positive cases.

AFB/Fite:  get in touch with Hansen's disease center, they can provide you with 
a block 'free' of charge.


Message: 7
Date: Sat, 9 Jun 2012 22:47:22 -0400
From: Bob Richmond 
Subject: [Histonet] Re: best controls
To: histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
Message-ID:

Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1

What controls for trichrome, methenamine silver fungal stain, and hemosiderin?

For trichrome, whatever keeps the regulatory agencies happy.
Pathologists use it mostly for liver biopsies, so an autopsy liver with early 
hepatic fibrosis would be ideal. But I don't bother to look at the control.

GMS methenamine silver for fungi: I'd want histoplasma growing in human tissue, 
with numerous yeast forms with a history of bad staining. But you take what you 
can get. A Candida culture injected into a mouse lung is what I expect to see.

Hemosiderin: any tissue with hemosiderin in it. Dog spleen or liver works quite 
well - unlike people, dogs store a lot of iron. Human hemochromatotic tissue is 
hard to get, and I'd hope increasingly difficult.

Could I add amyloid? The only control I can usually get is human medullary 
thyroid carcinoma. Amyloidosis is easily induced in experimental animals, and 
I've asked on Histonet several times - why isn't this tissue available for 
clinical use?

And acid-fast? Once again, I expect mouse lung injected with AFB. The best I've 
ever seen was rhesus monkey lung, those pestiferous New Delhi monkeys come to 
autopsy. Leprosy requires a separate AFB control. Once again, why not animal 
material. Leprosy is easily produced in armadillos (Dasypus novemcinctus), and 
one lepradillo could supply the world for a century.

Bob Richmond
Samurai Pathologist
Knoxville TN



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[Histonet] RE: Histonet Digest, Vol 102, Issue 34

[Mayer,Toysha N]

Well said Joelle.  It is almost like choosing schools for your child, not every 
school will fit every child.
Promotion is a good key to attracting new HT/HTL students.  When I visit with 
students in 4 yr universities, I always ask the pre-med students what are they 
going to do with all of the science if they do not get into 
med/dental/nursing/pharmacy school.  They don't even know about histo and how 
it can help them.

Felton is right, in order to remain competitive in management and director 
positions we have to advance our education.  It has to be us to tell us what to 
do and how to do it.


On another note, you CSI watchers, I saw a few years back the show was 
assisting ACSP in promoting lab week.  Great job, but on the show I saw the 
M.E.  with a microtome, and scope at the side of the body, and he was 
attempting to demonstrate histology.  I cringed.  NSH should have talked to 
them about that display.  House does a little better, but I don't any 
physicians that perform Fite stains.

OK I'm off my horse now.  Thanks for listening.


Toysha N. Mayer, MBA, HT (ASCP)
Instructor, Education Coordinator
Program in Histotechnology
School of Health Professions
MD Anderson Cancer Center
(713) 563-3481
tnma...@mdanderson.org









--


--

Message: 5
Date: Fri, 25 May 2012 17:21:49 +
From: joelle weaver 
Subject: RE: [Histonet] certification of histotechnologists
To: 
Message-ID: 
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"


These are interesting points. In my experience with the educational "wing" at 
least some ( non-histology educators) have about the same "monkey" assessment 
of what knowledge and skills are needed for histology as  some others. They 
seemed to feel that an associates was unecessary, and also feel that any med 
tech, ( or just about anyone) can do histology, with or without training- so 
why do we need to have programs at all? 
Plus it's a money issue- based on enrollment. So on campus programs fell away 
and continue to do so. The alternative was to have the students train in an off 
site lab and attend class on campus. Finding those labs willing to take 
students for clinicals was challenging. Then came not even classes on campus, 
but on line.  That seemed to provide something for some people. It is a better 
alternative than nothing, and some programs seem to be good,  and can provide 
the theory. But based on my first hand experience, I came to the conclusion 
that for quite a few students, it just doesn't translate well. Before I get a 
"flurry" of angry responses, note that some people do quite well- it just 
depends on the individual and where their clinical site is. I just think that 
more people deserve to be set up to do well, and I think the education could be 
more unified and consistent. I am not even "blaming" educators, they do their 
best with what resources they are given- I just think that those resources are 
often not enough. 
 I was lucky to have training in a program on campus, with good instructors, 
good clinicals,  and then go on to work in a great lab with people who wanted 
me to succeed. I never entertained that this was a substitute for actual 
experience, but I did feel it gave me good fundamentals to get started, and I 
continue to learn everyday both on my own,  and from others. Whenever I get 
sucked into this topic, it always gets construed that I am somehow insulting 
people who followed different paths- I am not! Experience is always 
valuable.There are good and bad examples in ALL professions, no matter the 
individual's education, training or experience.  Education  and experience are 
both valuable. They are just different ways of learning, and hopefully can work 
in synergy for each person.  



Joelle Weaver MAOM, HTL (ASCP) QIHC
 > From: timothy.mor...@ucsfmedctr.org
> To: keeping.ja...@gmail.com; histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
> Date: Fri, 25 May 2012 08:55:58 -0700
> Subject: RE: [Histonet] certification of histotechnologists
> CC: 
> 
> Janet brings up an interesting point. The rest of the world (ie, besides US) 
> has histo as part of the med tech program and then they specialize in their 
> final year. I have worked with techs from many other countries and in general 
> are far more knowledgeable than the majority of even certified techs in the 
> US.  The US med tech programs dropped histo decades ago. I'm not sure why. 
> Pathology labs certainly benefitted financially because it allowed them to 
> hire literally anybody to do the work. 
> 
> But even in the US the med tech schools are declining due to lack of 
> enrollment. Probably due to automation in laboratories they just don't need 
> as many people.
> 
> Tim Morken
> 
> 


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[Histonet] RE: Embedding

[Mayer,Toysha N]

Yes, cleaning your wells would be the next possible thing to try.  Clean them 
out with a little xylene (or paraguard) daily.  Also if your embedding unit has 
the removable wells, placing them upside down in the oven may be something to 
try.


Toysha N. Mayer, MBA, HT (ASCP)
Instructor, Education Coordinator
Program in Histotechnology
School of Health Professions
MD Anderson Cancer Center
(713) 563-3481
tnma...@mdanderson.org







Message: 1
Date: Fri, 25 May 2012 13:02:29 -0400 (EDT)
From: Ann Specian 
Subject: [Histonet] Embedding
To: histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
Message-ID: <8cf08af4cf811bc-c74-9...@webmail-m025.sysops.aol.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"


We are having a problem with floaters in our blocks which occur during 
embedding.  We have multiple forceps which are placed in heated wells and each 
cassette is embedded with a new forcep.  We also wipe with a gauze, but we are 
still getting floaters embedded in the cassette from time to time.

Does anyone do anything else to prevent this?
Thank you, Ann



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[Histonet] RE: Not requiring HT Certification)

[Mayer,Toysha N]

Like everyone else, I was going to keep quiet, but I can't.
I am sensitive to those downgrading us who took the OJT route.
I did the OJT route, had a BS in Biology, tried for Veterinary School, but that 
wasn't so.  What do I do with all of this Science?  As part of my Pre-Med 
curricula had to take histology, loved it.  Had no idea that it was a paying 
field and such.  Had I known, I would have applied to a school as a backup.  It 
took me a while, but when I was hired as a tech, I did not excel quickly 
(Cheryl remember my mistakes), but I learned and had patient coworkers.  
Move on down the line several years and another coworker questioned my 
knowledge of the chemistry behind a stain, and all of a sudden all of my 
organic and biochem can running out of my mouth.  I didn't realize that I 
really knew all of that.  I had always felt a little disadvantaged because I 
did not get formal training through a school, just studied and passed the HT 
with the help of my coworkers (shout out to  LSU VetPath).  
There is nothing wrong with OJT for Biology majors.  They should have the basic 
background to understand the chemistries and processes behind why we do what we 
do.  With the modernization of technologies and procedures in the histo lab 
some formal education is needed.  There are many ways to receive this 
education, it can be online, or in person.  It all depends on the learner.
To overcome the stigma we should continue with some of the things that are now 
in place to stabilize the training of our successors (yes we all are going to 
have to retire one day).  A continued push for formal training, promotion of 
the field, professionalism by our colleagues, and respect from the customers 
(pathologists, patients, and gen lab personnel). 
In order to facilitate change for respect, we must first present a unified 
front.  
I know good techs with no certification, I know bad techs with certification.  
We all do.  
Last year I celebrated my 20th year in histo and never thought I would be where 
I am.  I never wanted to do research, and didn't like management (don't like 
telling grown folks what to do), but I love teaching.  It helps me to learn the 
theory behind what I do and apply it better.  There are so many people who can 
do histo whether it is routine, special procedures, or management.  
We shouldn't look down on those who took the OJT route, sometimes they just 
don't know about a formal program (like me).  You never know where the next 
great manager, director or tech is coming from, so don't count them out.


Toysha N. Mayer, MBA, HT (ASCP)
Instructor, Education Coordinator
Program in Histotechnology
School of Health Professions
MD Anderson Cancer Center
(713) 563-3481
tnma...@mdanderson.org




--

Message: 1
Date: Thu, 24 May 2012 17:20:41 +
From: joelle weaver 
Subject: RE: [Histonet] (no subject) (Not requiring HT Certification)
To: 
Cc: histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
Message-ID: 
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"


Jon There is a route with associates and training I believe. 
Of course I can't speak for the BOC, and I am sure that you want to help your 
employees as much as you can. I do see your point about the similarities in 
tasks. My thought would be that the exam eligibility states that they have to 
have recent experience in fixation, embedding, microtomy, and staining 
(histology) and the associated theory knowledge. EM is on the exam study 
topics, but also with the theory/experience for all those routine histological 
techniques, is how I read it. Take a look at the exam outlines, that should 
give you an idea of the scope. Ascp.org "get certified".  As I have been told, 
they want to cover the widest possible scope of roles histologists can perform, 
which could include EM, but not only that. If they don't have exposure to 
regular histology I think that it might be hard for to feel prepared for the 
regular HT or HTL exams. That's just my opinion, based on what I have observed 
and also the pass rates ( ~ 65%), for people even with training/experience- 
there could be an exceptional person out there.   I can understand not wanting 
to get buried in doing a whole HT curricula ( believe me, I do). How about the 
option of having cross training in a histology lab? Do you have routine 
histology on site or a nearby lab?  The best advice I can give is to go to the 
website and carefully read the requirments to see how your employees might fit 
in. If you want to provide the theory without having to do the curricula, there 
are on line programs out there which can supplement OJT and a supportive mentor 
and organization. I have seen this work successfully with motivated people with 
the ability to have hands on practice alongside. I suggest the NSH site which 
lists the accredited programs  or the NAACLS site which  has a search for 
programs, if that would help.  As far as employability, my 

[Histonet] RE: HTL exam

[Mayer,Toysha N]

We used to have our students take the BOC just before graduation in the summer, 
but found that the stress of finals coupled with the BOC was a bit much.  
Especially for those who worked.  We do require that the students sign up for 
the exam (we do this in class as a group) and advise them to take it within 
about a month of graduation.  
Some of the students request extra tutoring for the exam and we try to 
accommodate that as well.
Employers that are changing their requirements want registered or eligible; or 
completion of an accredited program, usually.


Toysha N. Mayer, MBA, HT (ASCP)
Instructor, Education Coordinator
Program in Histotechnology
School of Health Professions
MD Anderson Cancer Center
(713) 563-3481
tnma...@mdanderson.org





--

Message: 2
Date: Tue, 22 May 2012 12:39:39 -0500
From: "McAnn, Sherrian" 
Subject: [Histonet] (no subject)
To: 
Message-ID:
<61e2b58cecef384094a363989d47c090084e5...@vhav17msga2.v17.med.va.gov>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

I agree and would like to add.  This is one scenario that I have seen many 
times, where hospitals  or wherever will hire histotechs without certifications 
.  I am thinking that saves them money and they still have a "histotech".  I 
have seen good histotechs  that have no certification and likewise some bad 
ones with certification.  Lately I
have seen these  schools turn out histotechs   ,  it seems with little
encouragement to get certified.  If places will hire them without being 
certified,  there seems little incentive (unless you are self motivated for 
more money) to move on up to certification.

 



--

Message: 3
Date: Tue, 22 May 2012 17:42:44 +
From: joelle weaver 
Subject: RE: [Histonet] (no subject)
To: , 
Message-ID: 
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"


That seems to be the unfortunate situation at this time...




Joelle Weaver MAOM, HTL (ASCP) QIHC
 > Date: Tue, 22 May 2012 12:39:39 -0500
> From: sherrian.mc...@va.gov
> To: histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
> Subject: [Histonet] (no subject)
> 
> I agree and would like to add.  This is one scenario that I have seen 
> many times, where hospitals  or wherever will hire histotechs without 
> certifications .  I am thinking that saves them money and they still 
> have a "histotech".  I have seen good histotechs  that have no 
> certification and likewise some bad ones with certification.  Lately I
> have seen these  schools turn out histotechs   ,  it seems with little
> encouragement to get certified.  If places will hire them without 
> being certified,  there seems little incentive (unless you are self 
> motivated for more money) to move on up to certification.
> 
>  
> 
> ___
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> Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
> http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet
  

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[Histonet] RE: Plants

[Mayer,Toysha N]

Everywhere I have worked we had plants.  Old fashioned Ivy's and a spider 
plant.  The spider plant was for the fumes, and the Ivy was because they grew 
under any conditions. 
I have worked in veterinary, and human labs and have never had plants be a big 
deal. Even CAP never said anything.

Toysha 




--

Message: 7
Date: Sun, 13 May 2012 23:42:52 +
From: "Tony Henwood (SCHN)" 
Subject: RE: [Histonet] Fwd: Plants
To: "'Kim Donadio'" , William
, Behnaz Sohrab 
Cc: ""

Message-ID: <6d6bd1de8a5571489398b392a38a715760a48...@xmdb02.nch.kids>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

I would suggest that it is the potting mix that is the culprit not the plant.

But then remember Histo laboratories are not ICUs nor are they Microbiology 
laboratories.

Regards
Tony Henwood JP, MSc, BAppSc, GradDipSysAnalys, CT(ASC), FFSc(RCPA) Laboratory 
Manager & Senior Scientist
Tel: 612 9845 3306
Fax: 612 9845 3318
the children's hospital at westmead
Cnr Hawkesbury Road and Hainsworth Street, Westmead Locked Bag 4001, Westmead 
NSW 2145, AUSTRALIA 


-Original Message-
From: histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu 
[mailto:histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of Kim Donadio
Sent: Saturday, 12 May 2012 6:07 AM
To: William; Behnaz Sohrab
Cc: 
Subject: Re: [Histonet] Fwd: Plants

Hate to say it, but yes plants are considered infectious. Thats why you cant 
take them in ICU's either. I guess the mold or bacterias can grow on them. Most 
places let this slide, but some dont. Good luck! 



Message: 9
Date: Mon, 14 May 2012 02:25:05 -0500
From: 
Subject: RE: [Histonet] Fwd: Plants
To: , 
Cc: histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu, sohra...@ah.org
Message-ID:

<4bf03f5404ebde409af9232da74b9ded2dea25a...@fwdcwpmsgcms09.hca.corpad.net>

Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

I read an article once that said spider plants absorb formalin fumes we have 
kept them in the histo lab for years.

-Original Message-
From: histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu 
[mailto:histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of Lucie Guernsey
Sent: Friday, May 11, 2012 4:07 PM
To: Victoria Baker
Cc: histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu; Behnaz Sohrab
Subject: Re: [Histonet] Fwd: Plants

I keep a pothos and spider plant in my lab. EH&S has never complained, though I 
can't say one way or another if it's technically allowed.

While my plants are mostly just decorative (I don't think I have enough of them 
to make much of a difference), it doesn't hurt that they may be filtering our 
air somewhat. NASA compiled a list of air-filtering plants that can eliminate 
significant amounts of formaldehyde, xylene, benzene,
etc. (Source:   http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_air-filtering_plants).

Lucie
UCSD
Dept. of Pathology



Message: 12
Date: Mon, 14 May 2012 08:03:36 -0400
From: Kim Donadio 
Subject: Re: [Histonet] Fwd: Plants
To: ""

Cc: "histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu"
,"sohra...@ah.org"
,  "" 
Message-ID: <28d65c00-c1f6-45b3-999a-c444dccdc...@yahoo.com>
Content-Type: text/plain;   charset=us-ascii

Hey I love having plants in the lab. I just offered up what I've been told by 
other infectious control people. Some infectious control people are more 
serious than others. In the end you'll have to sell that person on it. I've 
seen it turn out both ways. 

Happy week ! 
Kim D



Message: 14
Date: Mon, 14 May 2012 13:10:33 +
From: Stephanie Rivera 
Subject: RE: [Histonet] Fwd: Plants
To: Behnaz Sohrab ,
"histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu"

Message-ID:

<0d4094f105c6a74b87960b0746967965a03...@019-sn2mpn1-041.019d.mgd.msft.net>

Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

We were told last year to remove all plants from our labsomething about 
contaminants.not sure if it was FDA rule or our department rule, but we had 
to remove all plants and an inspection from the higher ups was done to ensure 
all plants had been removed.



-Original Message-
From: histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu 
[mailto:histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of Behnaz Sohrab
Sent: Friday, May 11, 2012 1:30 PM
To: histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
Subject: [Histonet] Fwd: Plants


I was told by infectious control person that plants are not allowed in the 
lab?? IS this true? any experience with this?
Thank you, Behnaz





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[Histonet] Thanks again

[Mayer,Toysha N]

I just wanted to say thanks again to all of those on histonet.  The questions 
that are asked go a long way in teaching troubleshooting.  Also, a few weeks 
ago the question was asked about purchasing forceps. I don't remember when or 
who.  One of the suggestions was jewelry forceps from craft stores such as 
Hobby Lobby.  That was a great suggestion!!  I took a field trip to Hobby Lobby 
and found some nice curved forceps with ergonomic finger pads for $3.99.  
Instead of ordering from Hobby Lobby, I called the distributor and was able to 
get 15 pairs for $2.99.  The tension and the weight of the forceps are good, 
and have a non-stick coating.  We will be placing them in our microtomy kits 
for next year.  For those interested, I also found Collins Scalpels (paraffin 
knives) at D R Instruments for $6.45 each if anyone needs some.


Toysha N. Mayer, MBA, HT (ASCP)
Instructor, Education Coordinator
Program in Histotechnology
School of Health Professions
MD Anderson Cancer Center
(713) 563-3481
tnma...@mdanderson.org






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[Histonet] RE: Histology Consulting

[Mayer,Toysha N]

Not sure what the rates are, but remember this-negotiate at least a 1 year 
contract for the tech.  Some POL's are hiring techs, bringing someone else in 
to train and then releasing the tech.


Toysha

Message: 11
Date: Fri, 9 Mar 2012 20:55:58 -0700
From: Carlos Hernandez 
Subject: [Histonet] Histology Consulting
To: Histonet 
Message-ID: <553bc9eb-7543-4957-886b-402070775...@yahoo.com>
Content-Type: text/plain;   charset=us-ascii

Does anyone have any ideas on what the going rates are for Consultants starting 
up in office labs? Duties would include design, contact for construction team, 
ordering and setting up equipment, setting up accounts for supplies and 
consumables, creating all manuals and logs including CLIA manual, and hiring 
histotech. 

All help greatly appreciated!

Carlos


--

Message: 12
Date: Fri, 9 Mar 2012 21:29:41 -0700
From: Carlos Hernandez 
Subject: [Histonet] Histology Consulting
To: Histonet 
Message-ID: <72381d42-f4f8-455f-8be1-a0bedf823...@yahoo.com>
Content-Type: text/plain;   charset=us-ascii

Colorado and Wyoming for now. 

Carlos






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Message: 16
Date: Sat, 10 Mar 2012 07:40:53 -0800 (PST)
From: Rene J Buesa 
Subject: Re: [Histonet] Histology Consulting
To: Histonet ,   Carlos Hernandez

Message-ID:
<1331394053.41683.yahoomailclas...@web162101.mail.bf1.yahoo.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1

As in any aspect of histology, there are no rates and each consultant may have 
his/her own scale.
Seek a good consultant, ask directly and decide if you want to contract or not.
Ren? J.

--- On Fri, 3/9/12, Carlos Hernandez  wrote:


From: Carlos Hernandez 
Subject: [Histonet] Histology Consulting
To: "Histonet" 
Date: Friday, March 9, 2012, 10:55 PM


Does anyone have any ideas on what the going rates are for Consultants starting 
up in office labs? Duties would include design, contact for construction team, 
ordering and setting up equipment, setting up accounts for supplies and 
consumables, creating all manuals and logs including CLIA manual, and hiring 
histotech. 

All help greatly appreciated!

Carlos
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End of Histonet Digest, Vol 100, Issue 12
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[Histonet] RE: Does xylene cause skin cancer?

[Mayer,Toysha N]

We all have heard the reports that xylene causes cancer.  It is a carcinogen.  
However only in cases where the user is extremely sensitive to xylene should 
you worry about a little bit getting on your skin every now and then. Don't 
bathe in it.   Do not make it a habit.  Wearing gloves (nitrile) and using 
other appropriate PPE should keep you safe.  I wear gloves when I coverslip, 
change the machines and recycle.  User safety is first, so check with the 
hospital to see what the safety department says.  
Change your gloves frequently when coverslipping.  
I have been a tech for 20 years and I am ok.  I take the usual precautions with 
PPE and teach the same to my students.

Toysha Mayer

--

Message: 2
Date: Wed, 22 Feb 2012 13:48:11 -0500
From: Bob Richmond 
Subject: [Histonet] Re: Does xylene cause skin cancer?
To: histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
Message-ID:

Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1

I don't know of any evidence that xylene causes skin cancer. Concern
is with absorption through the skin. The most likely problem is with
the bone marrow - leukemia and related diseases - from aromatic
hydrocarbons (xylene, toluene, benzene) - which of course are present
in resinous mounting media even in "xylene free" laboratories.

Latex gloves dissolve rapidly. Nitrile rubber is more resistant,
though not very. I don't know about vinyl examination gloves.

I don't wear gloves in this situation, but obviously a pathologist
gets much less exposure than a histotechnologist does. I certainly
wouldn't argue with anyone who wanted to wear them.

Bob Richmond
Samurai Pathologist
Knoxville TN



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[Histonet] RE: Interviewing Histotechs...

[Mayer,Toysha N]

Jerry,
I agree with you somewhat.  I have met techs that misrepresented themselves and 
said that they could cut or embed, and knew how to operate the instruments, but 
could not produce quality work.  You are right when you said that it is 
different for clinical vs. research. I have almost always worked clinical, and 
noticed that when working with research techs, they had a difficult time 
adjusting to clinical with the time frames and quality. 
When training new hires, depending on the position I am hiring for, I expect to 
train in the new workflow that they have learned, the new instrument they use, 
not the basic skills.  I only expect to do that with a student. Fresh techs are 
expected to know how to get a section, not cut the plastic on the block, embed 
skin, and set up the h&e stainer.  I should only have to go over and orient 
them on "our procedure" not teach the skill.  
I have worked various part-time jobs over the years and the first thing I ask 
is 'how many microns do you cut at here'? While 3-4 is the standard, some labs 
want everything at 3, or some at 4.  I know how to cut, but like you it takes 
about 2 weeks to get used to the new instrument. That's fine, but I don't 
expect to have to teach the tech how to embed a skin or cut a kidney biopsy. 
Not for an experienced tech, unless they have never encountered it.  That has 
to be made known during the interview.
Yes, a cutting test is good, I have seen registered techs not make it past 
probation (90 days) because they could not cut. It would have saved the company 
time and MONEY if a test could have been given. Asking if they can cut a kidney 
biopsy, or embed a skin would be good as well. I can't go back and get more 
epithelia or ask for another pass through the kidney.
 


Toysha N. Mayer, MBA, HT (ASCP)
Instructor, Education Coordinator
Program in Histotechnology
School of Health Professions
MD Anderson Cancer Center
(713) 563-3481
tnma...@mdanderson.org






Message: 5
Date: Mon, 30 Jan 2012 11:13:11 -0800
From: Jerry Ricks 
Subject: [Histonet] Interviewing Histotechs...
To: 
Message-ID: 
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"


I gather it is different in clinical labs than in research labs.  In clinical 
labs there is an emphasis on quantity and speed.  In research the emphasis is 
on doing good experiments.  Our "patients" are almost always deceased or 
shortly about to be so there is no urgency of diagnosis factor.  For us, 
"diagnosis" means making precise measurements else some scientists looking at 
an image and asking each other "what the?"

Anyway I always assume that the person I am hiring is incompetent at histology 
and that they will need to be personally trained by me.  Doesn't matter how 
much experience they have.  And over 23 years that has turned out to be true.  
I've met exactly two people who didn't need much training.One was a former 
senior clinical lab manager.  The other was a kid straight out of high school 
who happened to have a histology experience from high school and a decent histo 
portfolio.  Yes, Mercer Island High School had a Histology program.

No such thing as a tech who doesn't need to be trained and any tech trained by 
me will be up and running in a week or two.  Why bother making them cut or 
stain anything during a darn interview.  If they are smart and cooperative they 
will work out.

If I ever go to a new lab with a new microtome, new protocols, I am pretty sure 
that I will be sort of incompetent for a week or two as well.

Jerry Ricks
Research Scientist
University of Washington
Department of Pathology



 histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
> Date: Sun, 29 Jan 2012 13:12:09 -0500
> From: rsrichm...@gmail.com
> To: histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
> Subject: [Histonet] Re: interview
> 
> Ray Koelling asked me:
> 
> >>If the Samurai Pathologist is out there reading still; any idea over your 
> >>career, about how many glass slides have you viewed under a microscope 
> >>since the first? Your replies are always top-notch, entertaining and 
> >>informative. And hope with each new job you don't have to show someone you 
> >>can pass a test of which slide shows normal liver and which slide shows 
> >>cirrhotic liver in your interview.<<
> 
> I really have no idea how many slides. In a normal year I sign out
> about 3,000 histology cases (remember I don't work full time)
> averaging maybe 3 slides per case.
> 
> Generally I've gotten jobs, both private clients and agency clients,
> by recommendation. A number of years ago I was interviewed by a
> four-pathologist hospital group who handed me a tray of 20 slides with
> the necessary historical information, and was told that this was a set
> the group had collected, including very straightforward cases, cases
> with serious diagnostic pitfalls, and some cases they'd never been
> able to make a diagnosis on. They tried to make it a test of judgment
> rather than simple diagnostic skill. Told to take as much time as I
> need

[Histonet] RE: Histonet Digest, Vol 98, Issue 32

[Mayer,Toysha N]

Also, to help cut the tissues, I face at room temperature (very slowly), then I 
place my uterus/prostate blocks on ice with lots of water, then I cut them 
last. This helps to allow the blocks to soak up the water and soften some, plus 
allows nice thin sections.

I do agree with Andi that the processing procedure is too long with too many 
100% alcohols. 

Toysha N. Mayer, MBA, HT (ASCP)
Instructor, Education Coordinator
Program in Histotechnology
School of Health Professions
MD Anderson Cancer Center
(713) 563-3481
tnma...@mdanderson.org



--

Message: 16
Date: Wed, 25 Jan 2012 07:22:07 -0800
From: "Grantham, Andrea L - (algranth)" 
Subject: Re: [Histonet] Reg: Tissue is hard to cut after processing
Cc: "histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu"

Message-ID: 
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

Arun,
It looks like you are overprocessing your tissues. Uterus and prostate are 
tissues that are often hard to cut and your schedule for processing may be 
adding to your difficulties.
Unless the pieces are very large and thick (and you can't do anything about 
that), cut down on the time, eliminate the heat and vacuum in your alcohols and 
xylenes but not the paraffins. You might also want to eliminate one of the 100% 
alcohols and one of the xylenes or try a xylene substitute like Clear-Rite 3, 
which is a more gentle clearing agent. If you eliminated one of these you could 
add another 70% or 80% alcohol before the 95% to help wash out the formalin. 
Right now you are really drying out your tissues and making them harder.
If your tissues aren't totally fixed you may need the time in Formalin but if 
they are well fixed you could cut these times also.
You probably don't need 4 hrs in paraffin at 63 degrees either. I'd cut the 
time down and the temp. to at most 60 degrees. I usually go 3-4 degrees above 
the melting point of the paraffin.

Andi Grantham

On Jan 25, 2012, at 6:25 AM, Arun Jyothi S.P wrote:

> Dear all,
> 
> We are having a hard time in cutting blocks. All our blocks especially
> uterus, prostate chips etc became very hard after processing, we cant even
> trim the blocks its very hard.
> we use SLEE MTM automated tissue processor
> and our schedule is
> 1, Formalin- 1hr  - ambient  - 40 degree
> 2, Formalin- 2 hr  - vacuum - 40 degree
> 3, 70% ethanol   - 1hr  - vacuum  - Room temp
> 4, 95% ethanol   - 1hr   - vacuum  - Room temp
> 5 and 6- 100% ethanol- 1hr each   - vacuum - room temp
> 7, 100% ethanol - 1.30 hr  - vacuum  -  room temp
> 8, 9 and 10 - Xylene- 1 hr each  - vacuum  - 30, 35, 40
> degree respectively
> 11,12,13 and 14 - paraffin wax  - 1 hr each  - vacuum -  63 degree for all.
> 
> We use Merck paraffin wax of 56 degree M.P
> 
> Is there any problem with tissue processing schedule or something else is
> wrong?
> 
> We are in a big problem really expecting some valuable suggestion and
> advices.
> 
> with regards
> 
> 
> 
> ARUN JYOTHI S.P.
> Histotechnologist
> United Laboratories Co. 
> Kuwait
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> 


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[Histonet] RE:decal solution for molecular studies

[Mayer,Toysha N]

Clare,

I just checked with our MB instructors and they said that the decal with EDTA 
should be ok, as long as you rinse it well after using, to remove the residual 
acid.
Hope that helps.



Toysha N. Mayer, MBA, HT (ASCP)
Instructor, Education Coordinator
Program in Histotechnology
School of Health Professions
MD Anderson Cancer Center
(713) 563-3481
tnma...@mdanderson.org
>
> --
>
> Message: 1
> Date: Thu, 5 Jan 2012 10:16:06 -0500
> From: Clare Thornton 
> Subject: [Histonet] RE: decal solution for molecular studies
> To: "'histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu'"
> ? ? ? ?
> Message-ID:
> ? ? ? ?
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
>
> To clarify, the Formical we use is a formic acid/EDTA solution.
>
>
> Clare J. Thornton, HTL(ASCP), QIHC
> Assistant Histology Supervisor
> Dahl-Chase Diagnostic Services
> 417 State Street, Suite 540
> Bangor, ME 04401
> cthorn...@dahlchase.com
>
>
>
> -Original Message-
> From: histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu 
> [mailto:histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of Clare Thornton
> Sent: Thursday, January 05, 2012 9:12 AM
> To: 'histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu'
> Subject: [Histonet] decal solution for molecular studies
>
> Does anyone know of a decal solution that enables molecular studies (Her 2 
> FISH, EGFR by PCR) to be performed later? ?We use Formical for our decal 
> solution. ?Her 2 FISH works about 50% of the time, EGFR almost never. ?We are 
> looking at having to cut undecalcified bone today for both these studies, and 
> we are not equipped to cut undecalcified bone. ?Any suggestions?
>
>
>
> Clare J. Thornton, HTL(ASCP), QIHC
> Assistant Histology Supervisor
> Dahl-Chase Diagnostic Services
> 417 State Street, Suite 540
> Bangor, ME 04401
> cthorn...@dahlchase.com
>
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>
>


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[Histonet] RE: Elastichrome Paper

[Mayer,Toysha N]

Tim,

I do not have the paper, but a few years ago I worked the kinks out of that 
stain.  Your acetic acid is too long. Try for the amount of time that you 
usually do for a one step. A few dips would be a good start. Then rinse in 
dH2O, not wash. 
Also, I do not remember using the Weigert's and Verhoeff's solution. No need. 
Just the Bouins mordant, VVG and did a trichrome as a counter stain. Also, do 
not differentiate as much with the Ferric. Under differentiation will 
compensate for the other reagents. How long do you usually leave the slides in 
one step when doing a regular one?
Those would be good starting points. 


Toysha N. Mayer, MBA, HT (ASCP)
Instructor
Program in Histotechnology
School of Health Professions
MD Anderson Cancer Center
(713) 563-3481
tnma...@mdanderson.org








--

Message: 10
Date: Thu, 5 Jan 2012 09:45:25 -0800
From: "Morken, Timothy" 
Subject: [Histonet] Elastichrome paper, and troubleshooting
To: Histonet 
Message-ID:

<8d7c2d242dbd45498006b21122072bf89f5ee...@mcinfrwem003.ucsfmedicalcenter.org>

Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

Does anyone have a pdf (or could fax me) the original paper for "Elastichrome" 
stain:

Richardson, L. "Combination Elastic Trichrome Stain," Laboratory Medicine, 6.1, 
1975

We have a procedure with this reference, but no original paper to look at. We 
do it very rarely and no one seems to know how well it worked in the past.

I do have another paper in the same vein, "A combination verhoeff's elastic and 
masson's trichrom stain for routine histology," O'Connor, S. Valle, Stain 
Technology V 57, no. 4, 1982, that is a modification of the Richardson paper, 
and gives us some ideas, but I would still like to see the original paper if 
possible.

Our problem is that the elastic stain washes out during or after the trichrome.

Procedure:
Bouins, 56C one hour
Wiegerts hematolylin, 3min
Verhoffs elastic stain, 15 min
2% ferric chloride differentiation (so far so-good)
Gomori's trichrome Blue, 15 min
0.2% glacial acetic acid, 1 min
Wash dH20, dehydrate, clear, mount

Results:  trichrome looks great, no elastin stain.

I'm thinking the acetic acid is too long so told them to shorten it to a few 
dips and see how it looks. But, maybe some has some experience with this and 
has other suggestions.

Thanks for any help.


Tim Morken
Supervisor, Histology, IPOX
UC San Francisco Medical Center
Box 1656
1600 Divisidero St, B217
San Francisco, CA 94115
USA

415.514.6042 (office)
415.885.7409 Fax
tim.mor...@ucsfmedctr.org



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[Histonet] RE:

[Mayer,Toysha N]

Sarah,

I would use the 1% Acetic Acid in 70% alcohol, for a couple of reasons: your 
docs are used to looking at the stain with the Clarifier, and acetic is the 
ingredient in the Clarifier 2; also you probably will not have to change your 
staining times by too much if you use acetic. You could probably even dilute it 
out to 50% alcohol. HCL works too fast, especially since I have students. 

Toysha N. Mayer, MBA, HT (ASCP)
Instructor
Program in Histotechnology
School of Health Professions
MD Anderson Cancer Center
(713) 563-3481
tnma...@mdanderson.org






--

Message: 2
Date: Thu, 5 Jan 2012 15:59:35 +
From: Sarah Dysart 
Subject: [Histonet] Amazing
To: "histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu"

Message-ID:

<8a70a9b2ecdd084dacfe6c59fcf86d509c9...@sn2prd0702mb098.namprd07.prod.outlook.com>

Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

I find it amazing sometimes when you don't do something for awhile how quickly 
your brain throws the information away.  That being said...I know back in the 
day when I was learning histology we used to make our own acid alcohol solution 
(now where I am had a butt load of Clearifier so I was using that up).  I don't 
want to buy that stuff anymore as making the solution is way cheaper and works 
just as well.  I want to say it was like a 1% acid solution in alcohol??  What 
was the acid?  For some reason my brain says glacial acetic...but time has made 
me forget.  Is the alcohol you mix it in 100% or something lower with a water 
content to it?  Please help my alzheimers =)
Happy Thursday!!

Sarah Goebel-Dysart, BA, HT(ASCP)
Histotechnologist
Mirna Therapeutics
2150 Woodward Street
Suite 100
Austin, Texas  78744
(512)901-0900 ext. 6912




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