RE: [Histonet] Re: Embedding
We just use an empty lid top to the slide boxes. We save them as we load the slide printer, to be used for this and many other tasks. Kind Regards! John J Shelley Research Specialist, Histology Core Facility Sanford-Burnham Medical Research Institute at Lake Nona 6400 Sanger Road Orlando, FL 32827 Tel: (407) 745-2000 Ext.2517 Lab: (407) 745-2119 Fax: (407) 745-2001 email: jshel...@sanfordburnham.org -Original Message- From: histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu [mailto:histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of Boyd, Debbie M Sent: Thursday, January 22, 2015 1:14 PM To: gayle.cal...@bresnan.net; 'Tony Auge'; histot...@imagesbyhopper.com Cc: histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu; 'Morken, Timothy'; 'Goins, Tresa' Subject: RE: [Histonet] Re: Embedding We use a urine specimen container under the right lower corner of the para trimmer and toss it each day. Debbie M. Boyd HT (ASCP) | Chief Histologist | Southside Regional Medical Center | 200 Medical Park Blvd. | Petersburg, Va. 23805 | PH 804-765-5025 | FAX 804-765-6058 From: histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu [histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu] on behalf of Gayle Callis [gayle.cal...@bresnan.net] Sent: Thursday, January 22, 2015 1:03 PM To: 'Tony Auge'; histot...@imagesbyhopper.com Cc: histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu; 'Morken, Timothy'; 'Goins, Tresa' Subject: RE: [Histonet] Re: Embedding A fabulous idea! I suspect one could use a cheap travel iron although one needs to devise a way to collect melted paraffin. Even our fancy para trimmer didn't have catch pan for paraffin drippings.I suggest using a new or receycled aluminum baking pans available in supermarkets, discount stores or a recycled frozen food pan without separations. These pans come in various sizes and depths. The joy is toss pans when full of paraffin. Gayle Callis HTL/HT/MT(ASCP) -Original Message- From: histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu [mailto:histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of Tony Auge Sent: Thursday, January 22, 2015 9:58 AM To: histot...@imagesbyhopper.com Cc: histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu; Morken, Timothy; Goins, Tresa Subject: Re: [Histonet] Re: Embedding If you want a cheaper alternative you can use a ski wax iron. They cost about $40. I mounted one upside down in a bucket and it works just as well as the $500 para trimmers. -Tony Auge HTL (ASCP) QIHC ___ 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 -- Disclaimer: This electronic message may contain information that is Proprietary, Confidential, or legally privileged or protected. It is intended only for the use of the individual(s) and entity named in the message. If you are not an intended recipient of this message, please notify the sender immediately and delete the material from your computer. Do not deliver, distribute or copy this message and do not disclose its contents or take any action in reliance on the information it contains. ___ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet ___ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet
RE: [Histonet] Re: Embedding
We use empty pipette tip boxes. They are the perfect size and fit right under the edge and we just toss them when them get full. Jeff Robinson, HT, HTL, Senior Histotechnologist, Sierra Pathology Lab, Clovis, CA. -Original Message- From: histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu [mailto:histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of Boyd, Debbie M Sent: Thursday, January 22, 2015 10:14 AM To: gayle.cal...@bresnan.net; 'Tony Auge'; histot...@imagesbyhopper.com Cc: histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu; 'Morken, Timothy'; 'Goins, Tresa' Subject: RE: [Histonet] Re: Embedding We use a urine specimen container under the right lower corner of the para trimmer and toss it each day. Debbie M. Boyd HT (ASCP) | Chief Histologist | Southside Regional Medical Center | 200 Medical Park Blvd. | Petersburg, Va. 23805 | PH 804-765-5025 | FAX 804-765-6058 From: histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu [histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu] on behalf of Gayle Callis [gayle.cal...@bresnan.net] Sent: Thursday, January 22, 2015 1:03 PM To: 'Tony Auge'; histot...@imagesbyhopper.com Cc: histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu; 'Morken, Timothy'; 'Goins, Tresa' Subject: RE: [Histonet] Re: Embedding A fabulous idea! I suspect one could use a cheap travel iron although one needs to devise a way to collect melted paraffin. Even our fancy para trimmer didn't have catch pan for paraffin drippings.I suggest using a new or receycled aluminum baking pans available in supermarkets, discount stores or a recycled frozen food pan without separations. These pans come in various sizes and depths. The joy is toss pans when full of paraffin. Gayle Callis HTL/HT/MT(ASCP) -Original Message- From: histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu [mailto:histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of Tony Auge Sent: Thursday, January 22, 2015 9:58 AM To: histot...@imagesbyhopper.com Cc: histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu; Morken, Timothy; Goins, Tresa Subject: Re: [Histonet] Re: Embedding If you want a cheaper alternative you can use a ski wax iron. They cost about $40. I mounted one upside down in a bucket and it works just as well as the $500 para trimmers. -Tony Auge HTL (ASCP) QIHC ___ 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 -- Disclaimer: This electronic message may contain information that is Proprietary, Confidential, or legally privileged or protected. It is intended only for the use of the individual(s) and entity named in the message. If you are not an intended recipient of this message, please notify the sender immediately and delete the material from your computer. Do not deliver, distribute or copy this message and do not disclose its contents or take any action in reliance on the information it contains. ___ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet This email and attachments may contain PHI that is privileged and confidential and is not intended for any unauthorized person. If you, the reader, are not the intended recipient you are hereby notified that any dissemination, distribution or copying of this communication is strictly prohibited. Do not read the email but instead reply to the sender and destroy the message and any attachments. Thank you. ___ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet
RE: [Histonet] Re: Embedding
Wow! Now I really feel lucky. My cheap para trimmer came with a wax catcher with disposable liners that is magnetically attached to the trimmer. http://www.tedpella.com/histo_html/histo1.htm.aspx#_28154 Cant't beat $40 and a practical mind-set though. -Original Message- From: histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu [mailto:histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of Jeffrey Robinson Sent: Thursday, January 22, 2015 11:38 AM To: histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu Subject: RE: [Histonet] Re: Embedding We use empty pipette tip boxes. They are the perfect size and fit right under the edge and we just toss them when them get full. Jeff Robinson, HT, HTL, Senior Histotechnologist, Sierra Pathology Lab, Clovis, CA. -Original Message- From: histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu [mailto:histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of Boyd, Debbie M Sent: Thursday, January 22, 2015 10:14 AM To: gayle.cal...@bresnan.net; 'Tony Auge'; histot...@imagesbyhopper.com Cc: histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu; 'Morken, Timothy'; 'Goins, Tresa' Subject: RE: [Histonet] Re: Embedding We use a urine specimen container under the right lower corner of the para trimmer and toss it each day. Debbie M. Boyd HT (ASCP) | Chief Histologist | Southside Regional Medical Center | 200 Medical Park Blvd. | Petersburg, Va. 23805 | PH 804-765-5025 | FAX 804-765-6058 From: histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu [histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu] on behalf of Gayle Callis [gayle.cal...@bresnan.net] Sent: Thursday, January 22, 2015 1:03 PM To: 'Tony Auge'; histot...@imagesbyhopper.com Cc: histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu; 'Morken, Timothy'; 'Goins, Tresa' Subject: RE: [Histonet] Re: Embedding A fabulous idea! I suspect one could use a cheap travel iron although one needs to devise a way to collect melted paraffin. Even our fancy para trimmer didn't have catch pan for paraffin drippings.I suggest using a new or receycled aluminum baking pans available in supermarkets, discount stores or a recycled frozen food pan without separations. These pans come in various sizes and depths. The joy is toss pans when full of paraffin. Gayle Callis HTL/HT/MT(ASCP) -Original Message- From: histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu [mailto:histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of Tony Auge Sent: Thursday, January 22, 2015 9:58 AM To: histot...@imagesbyhopper.com Cc: histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu; Morken, Timothy; Goins, Tresa Subject: Re: [Histonet] Re: Embedding If you want a cheaper alternative you can use a ski wax iron. They cost about $40. I mounted one upside down in a bucket and it works just as well as the $500 para trimmers. -Tony Auge HTL (ASCP) QIHC ___ 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 -- Disclaimer: This electronic message may contain information that is Proprietary, Confidential, or legally privileged or protected. It is intended only for the use of the individual(s) and entity named in the message. If you are not an intended recipient of this message, please notify the sender immediately and delete the material from your computer. Do not deliver, distribute or copy this message and do not disclose its contents or take any action in reliance on the information it contains. ___ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet This email and attachments may contain PHI that is privileged and confidential and is not intended for any unauthorized person. If you, the reader, are not the intended recipient you are hereby notified that any dissemination, distribution or copying of this communication is strictly prohibited. Do not read the email but instead reply to the sender and destroy the message and any attachments. Thank you. ___ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet ___ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet
Re: [Histonet] Re: Embedding
That is so cool!! I wish I had one of those!! By bitching and bitching and bitching, they could exhaust the drama of their own horror stories. Grow bored. Only then could they accept a new story for their lives. Move forward. -Chuck Palahniuk, Haunted On Wed, Jan 21, 2015 at 1:59 PM, histot...@imagesbyhopper.com histot...@imagesbyhopper.com wrote: We also use the para-trimmer. In my view, it is worth its weight in gold! I can melt 5 blocks at a time, works like a charm. I am one who does not mind the wax on the sides, as I am most confident that there is enough paraffin to support the cassette. Michelle Sent from my iPhone On Jan 21, 2015, at 11:41 AM, Morken, Timothy timothy.mor...@ucsf.edu wrote: I agree. We got one of these a couple years ago and the techs love it. It is a heated block on which you rub the cassette. The paraffin melts away. It is especially good for preserving barcodes (but don't press the printed surface on the heat block too long - you can soften the print and cause some damage, but nothing like can happen with scraping). Tim Morken Supervisor, Histology, Electron Microscopy and Neuromuscular Special Studies UC San Francisco Medical Center San Francisco, CA CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: This email message, including any attachments, is for the sole use of the intended recipient(s) and may contain confidential, proprietary, and/or privileged information protected by law. If you are not the intended recipient, you may not use, copy, or distribute this email message or its attachments. If you believe you have received this email message in error, please contact the sender by reply email and destroy all copies of the original message. -Original Message- From: histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu [mailto: histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of Goins, Tresa Sent: Wednesday, January 21, 2015 8:29 AM To: gayle.cal...@bresnan.net; histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu Subject: RE: [Histonet] Re: Embedding I agree with Gayle. We finally purchased a trimmer from Ted Pella - lowest price by far - and are saving our finger joints. The amount of wax remaining on the cassette also appears to depend on the brand of mold used. Tresa -Original Message- From: histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu [mailto: histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of Gayle Callis Sent: Wednesday, January 21, 2015 9:11 AM To: histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu Subject: [Histonet] Re: Embedding After years of never winning the battle of paraffin on cassette edges after embedding, we purchased a paraffin block trimmer. It saves time and the stress on finger joints compared to scraping cassettes daily. No matter how careful we were during embedding to keep excess paraffin off cassette edges, we were never successful. Several vendors have these and you may be able to find a refurbished one. Gayle M. Callis HTL/HT/MT(ASCP) ___ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet ___ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet ___ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet ___ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet ___ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet
RE: [EXTERNAL] Re: [Histonet] Re: Embedding
I use a block trimmer. I think it is safer for wrists. Being that you push the block against it and I seemed to always pull when I scraped blocks. I am guitar player and need my wrists. I don't think it is a strong argument to say its faster then hand scraping atleast not until a good technique is developed by the tech. Ryan Roy HTL (ASCP) Histology Lab Manchester VA 718 Symth Rd Manchester NH 03104 (603) 624-4366 ex 6640 Disclosure: The content of this email does not reflect the policies, views or opions of the VA. -Original Message- From: histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu [mailto:histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of Emily Brown Sent: Thursday, January 22, 2015 2:14 PM To: histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu Subject: [EXTERNAL] Re: [Histonet] Re: Embedding That is so cool!! I wish I had one of those!! By bitching and bitching and bitching, they could exhaust the drama of their own horror stories. Grow bored. Only then could they accept a new story for their lives. Move forward. -Chuck Palahniuk, Haunted On Wed, Jan 21, 2015 at 1:59 PM, histot...@imagesbyhopper.com histot...@imagesbyhopper.com wrote: We also use the para-trimmer. In my view, it is worth its weight in gold! I can melt 5 blocks at a time, works like a charm. I am one who does not mind the wax on the sides, as I am most confident that there is enough paraffin to support the cassette. Michelle Sent from my iPhone On Jan 21, 2015, at 11:41 AM, Morken, Timothy timothy.mor...@ucsf.edu wrote: I agree. We got one of these a couple years ago and the techs love it. It is a heated block on which you rub the cassette. The paraffin melts away. It is especially good for preserving barcodes (but don't press the printed surface on the heat block too long - you can soften the print and cause some damage, but nothing like can happen with scraping). Tim Morken Supervisor, Histology, Electron Microscopy and Neuromuscular Special Studies UC San Francisco Medical Center San Francisco, CA CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: This email message, including any attachments, is for the sole use of the intended recipient(s) and may contain confidential, proprietary, and/or privileged information protected by law. If you are not the intended recipient, you may not use, copy, or distribute this email message or its attachments. If you believe you have received this email message in error, please contact the sender by reply email and destroy all copies of the original message. -Original Message- From: histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu [mailto: histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of Goins, Tresa Sent: Wednesday, January 21, 2015 8:29 AM To: gayle.cal...@bresnan.net; histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu Subject: RE: [Histonet] Re: Embedding I agree with Gayle. We finally purchased a trimmer from Ted Pella - lowest price by far - and are saving our finger joints. The amount of wax remaining on the cassette also appears to depend on the brand of mold used. Tresa -Original Message- From: histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu [mailto: histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of Gayle Callis Sent: Wednesday, January 21, 2015 9:11 AM To: histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu Subject: [Histonet] Re: Embedding After years of never winning the battle of paraffin on cassette edges after embedding, we purchased a paraffin block trimmer. It saves time and the stress on finger joints compared to scraping cassettes daily. No matter how careful we were during embedding to keep excess paraffin off cassette edges, we were never successful. Several vendors have these and you may be able to find a refurbished one. Gayle M. Callis HTL/HT/MT(ASCP) ___ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet ___ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet ___ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet ___ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet ___ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet ___ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet
Re: [Histonet] Re: Embedding
If you want a cheaper alternative you can use a ski wax iron. They cost about $40. I mounted one upside down in a bucket and it works just as well as the $500 para trimmers. -Tony Auge HTL (ASCP) QIHC ___ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet
RE: [Histonet] Re: Embedding
A fabulous idea! I suspect one could use a cheap travel iron although one needs to devise a way to collect melted paraffin. Even our fancy para trimmer didn't have catch pan for paraffin drippings.I suggest using a new or receycled aluminum baking pans available in supermarkets, discount stores or a recycled frozen food pan without separations. These pans come in various sizes and depths. The joy is toss pans when full of paraffin. Gayle Callis HTL/HT/MT(ASCP) -Original Message- From: histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu [mailto:histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of Tony Auge Sent: Thursday, January 22, 2015 9:58 AM To: histot...@imagesbyhopper.com Cc: histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu; Morken, Timothy; Goins, Tresa Subject: Re: [Histonet] Re: Embedding If you want a cheaper alternative you can use a ski wax iron. They cost about $40. I mounted one upside down in a bucket and it works just as well as the $500 para trimmers. -Tony Auge HTL (ASCP) QIHC ___ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet ___ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet
RE: [Histonet] Re: Embedding
We use a urine specimen container under the right lower corner of the para trimmer and toss it each day. Debbie M. Boyd HT (ASCP) | Chief Histologist | Southside Regional Medical Center | 200 Medical Park Blvd. | Petersburg, Va. 23805 | PH 804-765-5025 | FAX 804-765-6058 From: histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu [histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu] on behalf of Gayle Callis [gayle.cal...@bresnan.net] Sent: Thursday, January 22, 2015 1:03 PM To: 'Tony Auge'; histot...@imagesbyhopper.com Cc: histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu; 'Morken, Timothy'; 'Goins, Tresa' Subject: RE: [Histonet] Re: Embedding A fabulous idea! I suspect one could use a cheap travel iron although one needs to devise a way to collect melted paraffin. Even our fancy para trimmer didn't have catch pan for paraffin drippings.I suggest using a new or receycled aluminum baking pans available in supermarkets, discount stores or a recycled frozen food pan without separations. These pans come in various sizes and depths. The joy is toss pans when full of paraffin. Gayle Callis HTL/HT/MT(ASCP) -Original Message- From: histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu [mailto:histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of Tony Auge Sent: Thursday, January 22, 2015 9:58 AM To: histot...@imagesbyhopper.com Cc: histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu; Morken, Timothy; Goins, Tresa Subject: Re: [Histonet] Re: Embedding If you want a cheaper alternative you can use a ski wax iron. They cost about $40. I mounted one upside down in a bucket and it works just as well as the $500 para trimmers. -Tony Auge HTL (ASCP) QIHC ___ 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 -- Disclaimer: This electronic message may contain information that is Proprietary, Confidential, or legally privileged or protected. It is intended only for the use of the individual(s) and entity named in the message. If you are not an intended recipient of this message, please notify the sender immediately and delete the material from your computer. Do not deliver, distribute or copy this message and do not disclose its contents or take any action in reliance on the information it contains. ___ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet
Re: [Histonet] Re: Embedding
We also use the para-trimmer. In my view, it is worth its weight in gold! I can melt 5 blocks at a time, works like a charm. I am one who does not mind the wax on the sides, as I am most confident that there is enough paraffin to support the cassette. Michelle Sent from my iPhone On Jan 21, 2015, at 11:41 AM, Morken, Timothy timothy.mor...@ucsf.edu wrote: I agree. We got one of these a couple years ago and the techs love it. It is a heated block on which you rub the cassette. The paraffin melts away. It is especially good for preserving barcodes (but don't press the printed surface on the heat block too long - you can soften the print and cause some damage, but nothing like can happen with scraping). Tim Morken Supervisor, Histology, Electron Microscopy and Neuromuscular Special Studies UC San Francisco Medical Center San Francisco, CA CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: This email message, including any attachments, is for the sole use of the intended recipient(s) and may contain confidential, proprietary, and/or privileged information protected by law. If you are not the intended recipient, you may not use, copy, or distribute this email message or its attachments. If you believe you have received this email message in error, please contact the sender by reply email and destroy all copies of the original message. -Original Message- From: histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu [mailto:histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of Goins, Tresa Sent: Wednesday, January 21, 2015 8:29 AM To: gayle.cal...@bresnan.net; histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu Subject: RE: [Histonet] Re: Embedding I agree with Gayle. We finally purchased a trimmer from Ted Pella - lowest price by far - and are saving our finger joints. The amount of wax remaining on the cassette also appears to depend on the brand of mold used. Tresa -Original Message- From: histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu [mailto:histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of Gayle Callis Sent: Wednesday, January 21, 2015 9:11 AM To: histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu Subject: [Histonet] Re: Embedding After years of never winning the battle of paraffin on cassette edges after embedding, we purchased a paraffin block trimmer. It saves time and the stress on finger joints compared to scraping cassettes daily. No matter how careful we were during embedding to keep excess paraffin off cassette edges, we were never successful. Several vendors have these and you may be able to find a refurbished one. Gayle M. Callis HTL/HT/MT(ASCP) ___ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet ___ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet ___ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet ___ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet
RE: [Histonet] Re: Embedding
I agree with Gayle. We finally purchased a trimmer from Ted Pella - lowest price by far - and are saving our finger joints. The amount of wax remaining on the cassette also appears to depend on the brand of mold used. Tresa -Original Message- From: histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu [mailto:histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of Gayle Callis Sent: Wednesday, January 21, 2015 9:11 AM To: histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu Subject: [Histonet] Re: Embedding After years of never winning the battle of paraffin on cassette edges after embedding, we purchased a paraffin block trimmer. It saves time and the stress on finger joints compared to scraping cassettes daily. No matter how careful we were during embedding to keep excess paraffin off cassette edges, we were never successful. Several vendors have these and you may be able to find a refurbished one. Gayle M. Callis HTL/HT/MT(ASCP) ___ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet ___ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet
[Histonet] RE: embedding
My first job the molds were kept room temp or cool and I didn't have to scrape as much. My 2nd job they were kept hot and had to scrape all the time. Have fun with it and test some cold, some room temp, some hot see if there is a difference. The problem with too cool molds is it takes a bit longer to embed cause the bottom takes longer to warm up so it's a trade off for time. Fun experiment though! Anne -Original Message- From: histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu [mailto:histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of Campbell, Tasha M. Sent: Wednesday, January 21, 2015 7:12 AM To: histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu Subject: [Histonet] embedding Hello everyone, I was just curious if anyone had tips on how to embed without getting paraffin on the outside of the cassettes so I don't have to scrape the blocks or at least not scrape very much. Thanks!! Tasha Campbell, B.S.,HTL(ASCP) Frederick Gastroenterology Associates 310 W. 9th St. Frederick, MD 21701 301-695-6800 ext. 144 (w) 304-685-9307 (c) ___ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet ___ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet
[Histonet] RE: embedding
Honestly, the easiest thing I think is just don't overfill the base mold. A small amount in the bottom, then the tissue, then the cassette top and just top off enough paraffin to cover. Unless you accidentally slosh it as you are moving it to the cooling tray you will always have clean sides. Jeanine H. Sanders Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Infectious Diseases Pathology Branch 404-639-3590 j...@cdc.gov -Original Message- From: histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu [mailto:histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of Campbell, Tasha M. Sent: Wednesday, January 21, 2015 10:12 AM To: histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu Subject: [Histonet] embedding Hello everyone, I was just curious if anyone had tips on how to embed without getting paraffin on the outside of the cassettes so I don't have to scrape the blocks or at least not scrape very much. Thanks!! Tasha Campbell, B.S.,HTL(ASCP) Frederick Gastroenterology Associates 310 W. 9th St. Frederick, MD 21701 301-695-6800 ext. 144 (w) 304-685-9307 (c) ___ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet ___ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet
Re: [Histonet] RE: embedding
I have found really hot molds more difficult to work with but it is really an individual preference. What has worked for me is - put just enough paraffin in base mold to come up to rim of embedding area. Embed tissue. Add just a little more paraffin to bring it up to where plastic cassette top comes into contact with hot paraffin. Tilt mold gently to spread paraffin. Press cassette top down and add enough paraffin to cassette top to come up half way. Do 5 - 6 blocks and then top off with hot paraffin. The paraffin has had a chance to harden just enough to where it won't run out from under the cassette and remain pretty clean. Everyone has there tricks you just need to see what works best for you. Vikki On Jan 21, 2015 10:28 AM, Anne Murvosh amurv...@advancederm.net wrote: My first job the molds were kept room temp or cool and I didn't have to scrape as much. My 2nd job they were kept hot and had to scrape all the time. Have fun with it and test some cold, some room temp, some hot see if there is a difference. The problem with too cool molds is it takes a bit longer to embed cause the bottom takes longer to warm up so it's a trade off for time. Fun experiment though! Anne -Original Message- From: histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu [mailto: histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of Campbell, Tasha M. Sent: Wednesday, January 21, 2015 7:12 AM To: histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu Subject: [Histonet] embedding Hello everyone, I was just curious if anyone had tips on how to embed without getting paraffin on the outside of the cassettes so I don't have to scrape the blocks or at least not scrape very much. Thanks!! Tasha Campbell, B.S.,HTL(ASCP) Frederick Gastroenterology Associates 310 W. 9th St. Frederick, MD 21701 301-695-6800 ext. 144 (w) 304-685-9307 (c) ___ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet ___ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet ___ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet
[Histonet] RE: embedding
I have also noticed a big difference in the brand of cassette being used. The old Tissue-Tek style with the large holes do not seem to bleed or leak much at all but the General Data ones we use bleed a lot. I have tried different methods with the General Data type but have yet to come up with a sure fire fix. It could also be affected by the brand of mold- I think most of ours are the Tissue-Tek metal ones so they are probably a better fit for the Tissue-Tek cassettes. Jeff Robinson, HT, HTL, Senior Histotechnologist, Sierra Pathology Lab, Clovis, CA. -Original Message- From: histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu [mailto:histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of Sanders, Jeanine (CDC/OID/NCEZID) Sent: Wednesday, January 21, 2015 8:39 AM To: Campbell, Tasha M.; histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu Subject: [Histonet] RE: embedding Honestly, the easiest thing I think is just don't overfill the base mold. A small amount in the bottom, then the tissue, then the cassette top and just top off enough paraffin to cover. Unless you accidentally slosh it as you are moving it to the cooling tray you will always have clean sides. Jeanine H. Sanders Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Infectious Diseases Pathology Branch 404-639-3590 j...@cdc.gov -Original Message- From: histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu [mailto:histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of Campbell, Tasha M. Sent: Wednesday, January 21, 2015 10:12 AM To: histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu Subject: [Histonet] embedding Hello everyone, I was just curious if anyone had tips on how to embed without getting paraffin on the outside of the cassettes so I don't have to scrape the blocks or at least not scrape very much. Thanks!! Tasha Campbell, B.S.,HTL(ASCP) Frederick Gastroenterology Associates 310 W. 9th St. Frederick, MD 21701 301-695-6800 ext. 144 (w) 304-685-9307 (c) ___ 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 This email and attachments may contain PHI that is privileged and confidential and is not intended for any unauthorized person. If you, the reader, are not the intended recipient you are hereby notified that any dissemination, distribution or copying of this communication is strictly prohibited. Do not read the email but instead reply to the sender and destroy the message and any attachments. Thank you. ___ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet
RE: [Histonet] Re: Embedding
I agree. We got one of these a couple years ago and the techs love it. It is a heated block on which you rub the cassette. The paraffin melts away. It is especially good for preserving barcodes (but don't press the printed surface on the heat block too long - you can soften the print and cause some damage, but nothing like can happen with scraping). Tim Morken Supervisor, Histology, Electron Microscopy and Neuromuscular Special Studies UC San Francisco Medical Center San Francisco, CA CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: This email message, including any attachments, is for the sole use of the intended recipient(s) and may contain confidential, proprietary, and/or privileged information protected by law. If you are not the intended recipient, you may not use, copy, or distribute this email message or its attachments. If you believe you have received this email message in error, please contact the sender by reply email and destroy all copies of the original message. -Original Message- From: histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu [mailto:histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of Goins, Tresa Sent: Wednesday, January 21, 2015 8:29 AM To: gayle.cal...@bresnan.net; histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu Subject: RE: [Histonet] Re: Embedding I agree with Gayle. We finally purchased a trimmer from Ted Pella - lowest price by far - and are saving our finger joints. The amount of wax remaining on the cassette also appears to depend on the brand of mold used. Tresa -Original Message- From: histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu [mailto:histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of Gayle Callis Sent: Wednesday, January 21, 2015 9:11 AM To: histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu Subject: [Histonet] Re: Embedding After years of never winning the battle of paraffin on cassette edges after embedding, we purchased a paraffin block trimmer. It saves time and the stress on finger joints compared to scraping cassettes daily. No matter how careful we were during embedding to keep excess paraffin off cassette edges, we were never successful. Several vendors have these and you may be able to find a refurbished one. Gayle M. Callis HTL/HT/MT(ASCP) ___ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet ___ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet ___ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet
[Histonet] RE: Embedding cells in Paraffin
Mike, For EM work we fix, scrape the plate into a microtube, centrifuge at 1800 rpm for 10 min and then embed in Histogel or agar. Processing after that is as usual. They look fine by EM. I'm sure they would look fine by paraffin processing as well. Tim Morken Supervisor, Electron Microscopy and Neuromuscular Special Studies UC San Francisco Medical Center San Francisco, CA -Original Message- From: histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu [mailto:histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of Mike Tighe Sent: Monday, December 02, 2013 9:06 AM To: histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu (histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu) Subject: [Histonet] Embedding cells in Paraffin Has anyone tried to embed cells grown in tissue culture? I am trying to put some tissue culture cells through same stress as tissue would go through. Fixation, dehydration, and heat. Any ideas? I could re-suspend in OCT and then fix for extended time with NBF but that doesn't quite seem fair. Thanks for any ideas! ___ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet ___ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet
Re: [Histonet] RE: Embedding Paraffin
I use McCormick Paraplast Plus. On Tuesday, November 12, 2013 8:14 AM, Goins, Tresa tgo...@mt.gov wrote: Paraplast X-tra by McCormick. -Original Message- From: histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu [mailto:histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of Matthew D. Roark Sent: Tuesday, November 12, 2013 8:03 AM To: histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu Subject: [Histonet] Embedding Paraffin What paraffin does everyone like for embedding? We are currently using Surgipaths EM-400 but its dirty! Who has a clean, easy to section paraffin that they like? Thanks! Matthew Roark- HT/HTL(ASCP)CM Histology Specialist Saint Francis Medical Center 211 Saint Francis Drive Cape Girardeau, MO 63703 573-331-3982 mro...@sfmc.net http://www.sfmc.net/ ___ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet ___ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet ___ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet
Re: [Histonet] RE: Embedding Paraffin
We stumbled on Polyscientific's GemCut Pink Sapphire Parrafin and really like it. Before that we used Paraplast and it was OK but our blocks cut so much nicer with the GemCut. Andrea Grantham, HT (ASCP) Senior Research Specialist University of Arizona Cellular and Molecular Medicine Histology Service Laboratory P.O.Box 245044 Tucson, AZ 85724 algra...@email.arizona.edumailto:algra...@email.arizona.edu Tel: 520.626.4415 Fax: 520.626.2097 ___ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet
[Histonet] RE: Embedding Paraffin
We use Richard-Allan Paraffin Type 9. Embed nice and cuts beautifully for our lab. dermatology CONSULTANTS skin. care. experts. NOTICE OF CONFIDENTIALITY: The information in this email may be privileged and confidential and protected from disclosure. If the reader of this message is not the intended recipient, or an employee or agent responsible for delivering this message to the intended recipeint, you are hereby notified that any dissemination, distrubution, or copying of this email is strictly prohibited. If you have received this email in error, please notify us immediately by replying to this email and deleting it from your computer. Thank you Dermatology Consultants, PA Please consider the environment before printing. -Original Message- From: histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu [mailto:histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of Matthew D. Roark Sent: Tuesday, November 12, 2013 9:03 AM To: histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu Subject: [Histonet] Embedding Paraffin What paraffin does everyone like for embedding? We are currently using Surgipaths EM-400 but its dirty!Who has a clean, easy to section paraffin that they like? Thanks! Matthew Roark- HT/HTL(ASCP)CM Histology Specialist Saint Francis Medical Center 211 Saint Francis Drive Cape Girardeau, MO 63703 573-331-3982 mro...@sfmc.net http://www.sfmc.net ___ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet ___ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet
[Histonet] RE: Embedding Paraffin
Paraplast X-tra by McCormick. -Original Message- From: histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu [mailto:histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of Matthew D. Roark Sent: Tuesday, November 12, 2013 8:03 AM To: histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu Subject: [Histonet] Embedding Paraffin What paraffin does everyone like for embedding? We are currently using Surgipaths EM-400 but its dirty!Who has a clean, easy to section paraffin that they like? Thanks! Matthew Roark- HT/HTL(ASCP)CM Histology Specialist Saint Francis Medical Center 211 Saint Francis Drive Cape Girardeau, MO 63703 573-331-3982 mro...@sfmc.net http://www.sfmc.net ___ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet ___ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet
[Histonet] RE: Embedding Paraffin
We are using Ameriplast LP which is distributed by Cardinal Health. We were using Paraplast X-tra, but due to cost savings we switched to the Ameriplast (which in my opinion is better than the Paraplast X-tra). -Original Message- From: histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu [mailto:histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of Goins, Tresa Sent: Tuesday, November 12, 2013 11:14 AM To: Matthew D. Roark; histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu Subject: [Histonet] RE: Embedding Paraffin Paraplast X-tra by McCormick. -Original Message- From: histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu [mailto:histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of Matthew D. Roark Sent: Tuesday, November 12, 2013 8:03 AM To: histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu Subject: [Histonet] Embedding Paraffin What paraffin does everyone like for embedding? We are currently using Surgipaths EM-400 but its dirty!Who has a clean, easy to section paraffin that they like? Thanks! Matthew Roark- HT/HTL(ASCP)CM Histology Specialist Saint Francis Medical Center 211 Saint Francis Drive Cape Girardeau, MO 63703 573-331-3982 mro...@sfmc.net http://www.sfmc.net ___ 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 =This email is intended solely for the use of the individual to whom it is addressed and may contain information that is privileged, confidential or otherwise exempt from disclosure under applicable law. If the reader of this email is not the intended recipient or the employee or agent responsible for delivering the message to the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any dissemination, distribution, or copying of this communication is strictly prohibited. If you have received this communication in error, please immediately delete this message. Thank you = ___ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet
[Histonet] RE: Embedding centers
Maybe one of the used equipment vendors would consider a short-term lease with option to buy. -Original Message- From: histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu [mailto:histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of MARCELLYN A. STONE Sent: Wednesday, March 13, 2013 7:14 AM To: 'histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu' Subject: [Histonet] Embedding centers Good morning, I have a tissue tek embedding center. The hot plate no longer works. I have been told I can not get it replaced until July and it is too expensive to repair. I have looked into barrowing or getting a loaner from someone who has a back-up. That has not worked. Anyone have any ideas on maybe a fix? Thanks Marcy CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: This e-mail communication and any attachments may contain confidential and privileged information for use by the designated recipients named above. They are intended solely for these recipients. If you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that you have received this communication in error and that any review, disclosure, dissemination, distribution or copying of it or its contents is prohibited. If you have received this communication in error, please notify Calvert Memorial Hospital immediately by telephone at (410)535-8282 and destroy all copies of this communication and any attachments. ___ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet ___ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet
[Histonet] RE: embedding problem
John Have you tried paraffin? I know that we have been able to section some plastic devices with paraffin sections, it may be worth a try. Looks like the device you are working with is compatable with xylene, we have found in some cases that we need to use a xylene subsititute. Liz Elizabeth A. Chlipala, BS, HTL(ASCP)QIHC Premier Laboratory, LLC PO Box 18592 Boulder, CO 80308 (303) 682-3949 office (303) 881-0763 cell (303) 682-9060 fax l...@premierlab.com Ship to address: Premier Laboratory, LLC 1567 Skyway Drive, Unit E Longmont, CO 80504 From: histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu [histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of Baker, John [bak...@med.umich.edu] Sent: Thursday, February 07, 2013 8:19 AM To: Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu Subject: [Histonet] embedding problem I had to sign up again for the Histonet so I am not sure if this question went out so will resend. thanks Hello Histonetters, We are trying to embed a polycarbonate device with soft tissue attached to look at the implant interface. The problem is that with several standard protocols for pmma processing the clearing agent (methyl salicylate or xylene) and the methacrylate monomer dissolves the polycarbonate. Does anyone have any experience trying process such a thing, an embedding media (pmma, OCT for cryo, etc.), and then a method of sectioning it keeping the interface intact? Thanks in advance for any suggestions! John John A. Baker The University of Michigan Orthopaedic Research Laboratories Histology Unit 109 Zina Pitcher Place, 2218 BSRB Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2200 734-936-1635 ** Electronic Mail is not secure, may not be read every day, and should not be used for urgent or sensitive issues ___ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet ___ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet
[Histonet] Re: Embedding beads
I started using the embedding beads several months ago as a quick way to track who embedded what cassette. Each tech is assigned a number according to the number on their microtome. I get the beads from Cancer Diagnostics. You can probably find something similar at a craft store. These come in small round plastic containers that fit easily any where on the embedding center. They place the bead in a bottom corner of the cassette when topping it off with paraffin. They have actually saved us time. Once the techs get used to it, it might add a few seconds to the embedding. Before, the techs had to write down which blocks they embedded. (Very time consuming and often not complete). If I needed to see who embedded a certain block, I had to go check that log book. Now I can see who embedded it just by looking at the block. Kelly ___ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet
[Histonet] Re: Embedding beads
I've never seen beads used for identifying individual embedders by marking blocks with the beads. I never heard of Hama Beads (that's how it's spelled), which I think may be called Perler Beads in the US, but I never heard of them either. I think you can get them from Amazon. Bob Richmond Samurai Pathologist Knoxville TN ___ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet
[Histonet] RE: Embedding beads
I would get them from a craft shop or a bead shop - much cheaper! Joyce Weems Pathology Manager 678-843-7376 Phone 678-843-7831 Fax joyce.we...@emoryhealthcare.org www.saintjosephsatlanta.org 5665 Peachtree Dunwoody Road Atlanta, GA 30342 This e-mail, including any attachments is the property of Saint Joseph's Hospital and is intended for the sole use of the intended recipient(s). It may contain information that is privileged and confidential. Any unauthorized review, use, disclosure, or distribution is prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient, please delete this message, and reply to the sender regarding the error in a separate email. -Original Message- From: histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu [mailto:histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of Willis, Donna G. Sent: Friday, June 22, 2012 10:58 AM To: histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu Subject: [Histonet] Embedding beads Does anyone out in Histoland know of a vendor other that Mar Med to get small beads to put in cassettes to designate the person that embeds. Thanks, Donna Willis, HT/HTL (ASCP) Histology Lab Manager Baylor University Medical Center-Dallas ph. 214-820-2465 office ph. 214-725-6184 mobile donna.wil...@baylorhealth.edu ** This e-mail may contain confidential and/or privileged information. This information is intended only for the use of the individual(s) and entity(ies) to whom it is addressed. If you are the intended recipient, further disclosures are prohibited without proper authorization. If you are not the intended recipient (or have received this e-mail in error) please notify the sender immediately and destroy this e-mail. Any unauthorized copying, disclosure or distribution of the material in this e-mail is strictly forbidden and possibly a violation of federal or state law and regulations. Baylor Health Care System, its subsidiaries, and affiliates hereby claim all applicable privileges related to this information. ___ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet This e-mail message (including any attachments) is for the sole use of the intended recipient(s) and may contain confidential and privileged information. If the reader of this message is not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any dissemination, distribution or copying of this message (including any attachments) is strictly prohibited. If you have received this message in error, please contact the sender by reply e-mail message and destroy all copies of the original message (including attachments). ___ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet
[Histonet] RE: Embedding beads
Donna, Cancer Diagnostics has them, numbers 0 thru 9 and letters A thru E. Note, however, that the 6 and 9 are identical! They run about 2 cents per bead and come in bottles of 500. They are flat on two sides so don't roll around. We've been using them for about 6 months and everyone is happy with them. We tried confetti but everyone complained about how hard it was to pick up the pieces. Plus shapes and colors are not as easy to decode as numbers. We have a chart posted in the lab with each persons number or letter so it is really easy to determine who embedded a particular block. http://www.cancerdiagnostics.com/CDI_Products.aspx?pid=109 Tim Morken -Original Message- From: histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu [mailto:histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of Willis, Donna G. Sent: Friday, June 22, 2012 7:58 AM To: histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu Subject: [Histonet] Embedding beads Does anyone out in Histoland know of a vendor other that Mar Med to get small beads to put in cassettes to designate the person that embeds. Thanks, Donna Willis, HT/HTL (ASCP) Histology Lab Manager Baylor University Medical Center-Dallas ph. 214-820-2465 office ph. 214-725-6184 mobile donna.wil...@baylorhealth.edu ** This e-mail may contain confidential and/or privileged information. This information is intended only for the use of the individual(s) and entity(ies) to whom it is addressed. If you are the intended recipient, further disclosures are prohibited without proper authorization. If you are not the intended recipient (or have received this e-mail in error) please notify the sender immediately and destroy this e-mail. Any unauthorized copying, disclosure or distribution of the material in this e-mail is strictly forbidden and possibly a violation of federal or state law and regulations. Baylor Health Care System, its subsidiaries, and affiliates hereby claim all applicable privileges related to this information. ___ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet ___ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet
[Histonet] RE: Embedding
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 thisis...@aol.com 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 ___ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet
[Histonet] RE: embedding centers
Sakura's Tissue-Tek Jeanine Bartlett Infectious Diseases Pathology Branch (404) 639-3590 jeanine.bartl...@cdc.hhs.gov -Original Message- From: histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu [mailto:histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of Weaver, Stephanie Sent: Tuesday, September 13, 2011 9:36 AM To: histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu Subject: [Histonet] embedding centers Hello histonetters! I know this has been asked before, but there's not much in the recent archives. I'd like to see what everyone thinks is now the best paraffin embedding center. They all seem very similar now, and I don't see any one instrument that looks much different from the others. My primary concern is reliability and long working life, but of course I would also like an instrument that is user friendly, ergonomic and affordable. Please let me know if you have a very good experience with any embedding center or especially if anyone has had a particularly bad experience and let me know any features that you find spectacular or useless. Thanks for the advice! Stephanie Weaver Texas Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory ___ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet ___ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet
RE: [Histonet] RE: Embedding process improvementandcompetencyassessment
If people cheated. Then people cheated. There will always be that element. To discard that requirement (the practical) because of the cheat factor was a silly (remember, this is my rantnot yours) excuse that I have heard from some people who were part of the decision. What was lost was the incredable effort that was needed to do that practical and the experience of being able to produce registry quality slides. That is not cheating themselves, but robbing every pathologist and patient that followed until that person started to produce quality work. I could not agree more with what Bill O'Donnell wrote!! Thank you Bill. I have students in the clinical portion of there histo training and though I am not former military my students sure do think I am!! I strive for perfection from the time they section in their first piece of tissue till their last stained slide. Nancy Heath, HT(ASCP) -Original Message- From: O'Donnell, Bill [mailto:billodonn...@catholichealth.net] Sent: Thursday, August 25, 2011 4:48 PM To: Podawiltz, Thomas; Heath, Nancy L.; Jennifer MacDonald Cc: Histonet Listserv (E-mail); histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu; D'Attilio, Shelley Subject: RE: [Histonet] RE: Embedding process improvementandcompetencyassessment Tom, (and all those following this thread) And we got that ;) perfection. (Warning, long rant ahead... Rene's might have been longer, but he spread it out over a number of posts) (Hi Rene, I enjoyed your rant.) My biggest barrier in assimilating into the civilian workforce was that perfection wasn't required or even at times expected. I still can't get my head around that. Because of what was expected of me by my unit, 30 years later, my embedding is tight w nice, neat rows, cutting is neat and aligned and staining is crisp. (However, I will not win any speed contest) My point in this is not to blow my horn. Most of you out there turn out the same or better quality. My point is this, when supervisors and peers stop striving for perfection then there will always be a need for skills assessments and re-training. There will be little or no perfection. Over the last thirty years of training and supervising, I have always tried to instill the idea that we are dealing with a person's tissue. Wrapped up in that is a lot of anxiety and stress that the patient is having. The first thing a new trainee or tech had to do when they came to me (in the civilian world)was spend a week shadowing phlebotomy so that they got the chance to see some of the faces behind the samples. But in the last ten years or so, there has been too much emphasis on speed as a standard of performance, and in general, there has been a growing attitude that perfection isn't possible. (many factors to blame, I suppose) I once worked for a very demanding pathologist and because of his expectations, the whole crew put out near perfection. Pathologists that are OK with what they get, so long as they can make a diagnosis, are a huge part of that problem. But as supervisors, we only get what we expect of people and strive for and example ourselves. (The rest of the rant is anecdotal and not very interesting, but since I took the time to write it, here it is...) This was also the period (Navy)when I had to do that monster practical for the HT. Back then, it was not 7 or 8 slides, but many more with a large number of special stains as well. I knew if it passed the guys in our lab, it should be no problem passing the practical. The guy who took the test at the same time I did, picked his tissues on Wednesday, embedded them on Thursday cut cut and stained them on Saturday and mailed them on Monday. He had no concern at all that his work wouldn't be good enough. He passed the practical with a very respectable percentile. I think that helps to bolster the idea that an expectation that is demanded and fostered is one that can be confidently met. If people cheated. Then people cheated. There will always be that element. To discard that requirement (the practical) because of the cheat factor was a silly (remember, this is my rantnot yours) excuse that I have heard from some people who were part of the decision. What was lost was the incredable effort that was needed to do that practical and the experience of being able to produce registry quality slides. That is not cheating themselves, but robbing every pathologist and patient that followed until that person started to produce quality work. (Rany over, thanks to those who hung out til the end I hope it was worth it) I hope every one has a great weekend, as I am off on Friday and will be having a great weekend myself. Shalom - Bill -Original Message- From: Podawiltz, Thomas [mailto:tpodawi...@lrgh.org] Sent: Thursday, August 25, 2011 1:21 PM To: O'Donnell, Bill; Heath, Nancy L.; Jennifer MacDonald Cc: Histonet Listserv (E-mail); histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu; D'Attilio, Shelley Subject: RE: [Histonet] RE
[Histonet] Re: Embedding process etc.
Bill O'Donnell observes: I once worked for a very demanding pathologist and because of his expectations, the whole crew put out near perfection. Pathologists that are OK with what they get, so long as they can make a diagnosis, are a huge part of that problem. I very much agree, though I've often been guilty as charged. Edwards Deming - whom of course American MBA's learn to ridicule - was very much concerned with constant feedback, and constant attention to fixing little problems before they turn into big problems. The histotechnologist who never looks at a slide and the pathologist who is afraid to complain about unsatisfactory work are two sides of the same problem. This month's Journal of Histotechnology has an article about quality assurance of GI biopsies that everyone concerned with this issue should read. I'll try to get review of it onto Histonet. Bob Richmond Samurai Pathologist Knoxville TN ___ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet
RE: [Histonet] RE: Embedding process improvement and competencyassessment
I recall being told that one reason for the practical discontinuation, was that there were not enough well qualified judges for the practical work available at the ASCP, mostly populated with MT trained people in these roles? ..not sure if that is true.I am not offering that this is valid for a reason, just that this was the information I was given when I questioned the wisdom of that decision. I do think that if you cheat, this will catch up with you,but unfortunately not immediately most of the time. Sadly I think it does serve to dilute the perception of, and respect for, those that had put forth the effort to acheive their best , and submit their best slides(closest to perfection) by their own efforts. I can see it might be hard to prove cheaters, given the geographic area and number of people involved, but anyone who signed off on someone's misrepresented work, well they have to live with themselves and whatever the potential results to patients, colleagues et al. Joelle Joelle Weaver MAOM, BA, (HTL) ASCP From: joseph-galbra...@uiowa.edu To: bdebrosse-se...@isisph.com; jmacdon...@mtsac.edu; nhe...@lifespan.org Date: Thu, 25 Aug 2011 18:07:26 + Subject: RE: [Histonet] RE: Embedding process improvement and competencyassessment CC: histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu; histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu; sdatt...@stormontvail.org How disgusting to hear about cheating. I recall that someone was supposed to sign off as a witness that the applicant had done the work themselves. I spent months acquiring tissue, processing, embedding, cutting and staining a set of blocks and slides and was rewarded with a high score for the effort. It was something I could be proud of. As I recall we had to submit 25 or so slides back then only some of which were graded and the grading was really strict (but did vary with the grader). Joe Galbraith HTL (and also MT by the way) University of Iowa -Original Message- From: histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu [mailto:histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of Bea DeBrosse-Serra Sent: Thursday, August 25, 2011 12:14 PM To: 'Jennifer MacDonald'; Heath, Nancy L. Cc: Histonet Listserv (E-mail); histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu; D'Attilio, Shelley Subject: RE: [Histonet] RE: Embedding process improvement and competencyassessment I heard of a lot of cheating as well. People paid others to do the blocks and staining. How good does it do? In the end, these people are cheating themselves. Very sad! Beatrice DeBrosse-Serra HT(ASCP)QIHC Isis Pharmaceuticals Antisense Drug Discovery 1896 Rutherford Road Carlsbad, CA 92008 760-603-2371 -Original Message- From: histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu [mailto:histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of Jennifer MacDonald Sent: Thursday, August 25, 2011 7:58 AM To: Heath, Nancy L. Cc: Histonet Listserv (E-mail); histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu; D'Attilio, Shelley Subject: RE: [Histonet] RE: Embedding process improvement and competencyassessment I fail to see the correlation of a non HT person supervising the Histology lab and the lack of a practical exam for HT/HTL staff. One of the issues that Shelley brought up was the staff lost or did not develop their embedding skills. Submission of a practical exam is not proof of highly developed embedding skills. For the HT exam there were 8 blocks that were submitted (9 slides). I know of cases where the blocks were not even embedded or cut by the applicant. Heath, Nancy L. nhe...@lifespan.org Sent by: histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu 08/25/2011 07:11 AM To D'Attilio, Shelley sdatt...@stormontvail.org, Podawiltz, Thomas tpodawi...@lrgh.org, Histonet Listserv (E-mail) histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu cc Subject RE: [Histonet] RE: Embedding process improvement and competencyassessment This is exactly why the powers that be should have NEVER gotten rid of the practical portion of the HT/HTL board certification! -Original Message- From: histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu [mailto:histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of D'Attilio, Shelley Sent: Thursday, August 25, 2011 9:45 AM To: Podawiltz, Thomas; Histonet Listserv (E-mail) Subject: [Histonet] RE: Embedding process improvement and competencyassessment Hi Tom, Thank you for your kind words. I am off the bench almost completely. I can work in the gross room in a pinch and my counting skills are excellent, so I can always file slides and block if an emergency arises:) I occasionally cover a bench in Chemistry as well, but my staff is all pretty glad that I mostly stay in my office. Thanks so much for the embedding information. The main problem we are tackling at the moment is tissue orientation. I have written a pretty detailed embedding procedure that is being reviewed by the new
[Histonet] Histonet] Re: Embedding process etc.
Hi, That was a good article. I really do hope I am not the only one that was just mortified at the high numbers of bad sections being produced. Once in a while on a bit of difficult tissue is one thing, but consistent poor quality is inexcusable. Come to think of it that was actually a rather depressing article. Amos On Fri, Aug 26, 2011 at 1:00 PM, histonet-requ...@lists.utsouthwestern.eduwrote: Message: 13 Date: Fri, 26 Aug 2011 11:36:15 -0400 From: Bob Richmond rsrichm...@gmail.com Subject: [Histonet] Re: Embedding process etc. To: histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu Message-ID: CAOKsRH6BBMkqLZEVCY=e4bkswxz6acrsy3otrx+f1ob-tkt...@mail.gmail.com Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1 Bill O'Donnell observes: I once worked for a very demanding pathologist and because of his expectations, the whole crew put out near perfection. Pathologists that are OK with what they get, so long as they can make a diagnosis, are a huge part of that problem. I very much agree, though I've often been guilty as charged. Edwards Deming - whom of course American MBA's learn to ridicule - was very much concerned with constant feedback, and constant attention to fixing little problems before they turn into big problems. The histotechnologist who never looks at a slide and the pathologist who is afraid to complain about unsatisfactory work are two sides of the same problem. This month's Journal of Histotechnology has an article about quality assurance of GI biopsies that everyone concerned with this issue should read. I'll try to get review of it onto Histonet. Bob Richmond Samurai Pathologist Knoxville TN ___ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet
RE: [Histonet] RE: Embedding process improvement and competencyassessment
How disgusting to hear about cheating. I recall that someone was supposed to sign off as a witness that the applicant had done the work themselves. I spent months acquiring tissue, processing, embedding, cutting and staining a set of blocks and slides and was rewarded with a high score for the effort. It was something I could be proud of. As I recall we had to submit 25 or so slides back then only some of which were graded and the grading was really strict (but did vary with the grader). Joe Galbraith HTL (and also MT by the way) University of Iowa -Original Message- From: histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu [mailto:histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of Bea DeBrosse-Serra Sent: Thursday, August 25, 2011 12:14 PM To: 'Jennifer MacDonald'; Heath, Nancy L. Cc: Histonet Listserv (E-mail); histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu; D'Attilio, Shelley Subject: RE: [Histonet] RE: Embedding process improvement and competencyassessment I heard of a lot of cheating as well. People paid others to do the blocks and staining. How good does it do? In the end, these people are cheating themselves. Very sad! Beatrice DeBrosse-Serra HT(ASCP)QIHC Isis Pharmaceuticals Antisense Drug Discovery 1896 Rutherford Road Carlsbad, CA 92008 760-603-2371 -Original Message- From: histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu [mailto:histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of Jennifer MacDonald Sent: Thursday, August 25, 2011 7:58 AM To: Heath, Nancy L. Cc: Histonet Listserv (E-mail); histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu; D'Attilio, Shelley Subject: RE: [Histonet] RE: Embedding process improvement and competencyassessment I fail to see the correlation of a non HT person supervising the Histology lab and the lack of a practical exam for HT/HTL staff. One of the issues that Shelley brought up was the staff lost or did not develop their embedding skills. Submission of a practical exam is not proof of highly developed embedding skills. For the HT exam there were 8 blocks that were submitted (9 slides). I know of cases where the blocks were not even embedded or cut by the applicant. Heath, Nancy L. nhe...@lifespan.org Sent by: histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu 08/25/2011 07:11 AM To D'Attilio, Shelley sdatt...@stormontvail.org, Podawiltz, Thomas tpodawi...@lrgh.org, Histonet Listserv (E-mail) histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu cc Subject RE: [Histonet] RE: Embedding process improvement and competencyassessment This is exactly why the powers that be should have NEVER gotten rid of the practical portion of the HT/HTL board certification! -Original Message- From: histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu [mailto:histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of D'Attilio, Shelley Sent: Thursday, August 25, 2011 9:45 AM To: Podawiltz, Thomas; Histonet Listserv (E-mail) Subject: [Histonet] RE: Embedding process improvement and competencyassessment Hi Tom, Thank you for your kind words. I am off the bench almost completely. I can work in the gross room in a pinch and my counting skills are excellent, so I can always file slides and block if an emergency arises:) I occasionally cover a bench in Chemistry as well, but my staff is all pretty glad that I mostly stay in my office. Thanks so much for the embedding information. The main problem we are tackling at the moment is tissue orientation. I have written a pretty detailed embedding procedure that is being reviewed by the new histology supervisor. Our plan is to refresh the training of everyone on staff in conjunction with this procedure, then add specific embedding competencies to our checklist. I will make sure that the procedure incorporates the first 6 elements that you listed below. Currently we have a QA sheet that is given to the pathologist with each batch of slides. Pathologists provide us with feedback on the slide quality by filling out the form. Slides with sub-standard quality--whether in orientation, cutting, staining, whatever--our reviewed by every histotech in the lab with an aim to education and improvement of performance. We have a form called the Slide Quality Review Form that details the quality issue. Techs are directed to review the slides and comment. Difficult cases or those where people disagree are discussed in our department meetings. One of our difficulties over the years has been how the work was divided between the histotechs. One histotech loved to embed and was very good at it, so he did most of the embedding. He eventually moved to an overnight shift, which resulted in him embedding even more than he was. Consequently, other staff people either lost their skills or never fully developed them. It was introduction of rapid processing that really brought this issue to the forefront, since different people were embedding at different times of the day. Unfortunately, I let my NSH membership lapse this year for budgetary reasons. I
RE: [Histonet] RE: Embedding process improvement andcompetencyassessment
Thank you Joe!! Nancy Heath, HT(ASCP) -Original Message- From: Galbraith, Joe [mailto:joseph-galbra...@uiowa.edu] Sent: Thursday, August 25, 2011 2:07 PM To: Bea DeBrosse-Serra; 'Jennifer MacDonald'; Heath, Nancy L. Cc: Histonet Listserv (E-mail); histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu; D'Attilio, Shelley Subject: RE: [Histonet] RE: Embedding process improvement andcompetencyassessment How disgusting to hear about cheating. I recall that someone was supposed to sign off as a witness that the applicant had done the work themselves. I spent months acquiring tissue, processing, embedding, cutting and staining a set of blocks and slides and was rewarded with a high score for the effort. It was something I could be proud of. As I recall we had to submit 25 or so slides back then only some of which were graded and the grading was really strict (but did vary with the grader). Joe Galbraith HTL (and also MT by the way) University of Iowa -Original Message- From: histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu [mailto:histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of Bea DeBrosse-Serra Sent: Thursday, August 25, 2011 12:14 PM To: 'Jennifer MacDonald'; Heath, Nancy L. Cc: Histonet Listserv (E-mail); histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu; D'Attilio, Shelley Subject: RE: [Histonet] RE: Embedding process improvement and competencyassessment I heard of a lot of cheating as well. People paid others to do the blocks and staining. How good does it do? In the end, these people are cheating themselves. Very sad! Beatrice DeBrosse-Serra HT(ASCP)QIHC Isis Pharmaceuticals Antisense Drug Discovery 1896 Rutherford Road Carlsbad, CA 92008 760-603-2371 -Original Message- From: histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu [mailto:histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of Jennifer MacDonald Sent: Thursday, August 25, 2011 7:58 AM To: Heath, Nancy L. Cc: Histonet Listserv (E-mail); histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu; D'Attilio, Shelley Subject: RE: [Histonet] RE: Embedding process improvement and competencyassessment I fail to see the correlation of a non HT person supervising the Histology lab and the lack of a practical exam for HT/HTL staff. One of the issues that Shelley brought up was the staff lost or did not develop their embedding skills. Submission of a practical exam is not proof of highly developed embedding skills. For the HT exam there were 8 blocks that were submitted (9 slides). I know of cases where the blocks were not even embedded or cut by the applicant. Heath, Nancy L. nhe...@lifespan.org Sent by: histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu 08/25/2011 07:11 AM To D'Attilio, Shelley sdatt...@stormontvail.org, Podawiltz, Thomas tpodawi...@lrgh.org, Histonet Listserv (E-mail) histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu cc Subject RE: [Histonet] RE: Embedding process improvement and competencyassessment This is exactly why the powers that be should have NEVER gotten rid of the practical portion of the HT/HTL board certification! -Original Message- From: histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu [mailto:histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of D'Attilio, Shelley Sent: Thursday, August 25, 2011 9:45 AM To: Podawiltz, Thomas; Histonet Listserv (E-mail) Subject: [Histonet] RE: Embedding process improvement and competencyassessment Hi Tom, Thank you for your kind words. I am off the bench almost completely. I can work in the gross room in a pinch and my counting skills are excellent, so I can always file slides and block if an emergency arises:) I occasionally cover a bench in Chemistry as well, but my staff is all pretty glad that I mostly stay in my office. Thanks so much for the embedding information. The main problem we are tackling at the moment is tissue orientation. I have written a pretty detailed embedding procedure that is being reviewed by the new histology supervisor. Our plan is to refresh the training of everyone on staff in conjunction with this procedure, then add specific embedding competencies to our checklist. I will make sure that the procedure incorporates the first 6 elements that you listed below. Currently we have a QA sheet that is given to the pathologist with each batch of slides. Pathologists provide us with feedback on the slide quality by filling out the form. Slides with sub-standard quality--whether in orientation, cutting, staining, whatever--our reviewed by every histotech in the lab with an aim to education and improvement of performance. We have a form called the Slide Quality Review Form that details the quality issue. Techs are directed to review the slides and comment. Difficult cases or those where people disagree are discussed in our department meetings. One of our difficulties over the years has been how the work was divided between the histotechs. One histotech loved to embed and was very good at it, so he did most of the embedding. He eventually moved to an overnight
Re: [Histonet] RE: Embedding process improvement and competencyassessment
Ditto Joe! I did it twice! Once for HT, then again for HTL!!! Paula K. Pierce, HTL(ASCP)HT President Excalibur Pathology, Inc. 8901 S. Santa Fe Oklahoma City, OK 73139 405-759-3953 Lab 405-759-7513 Fax www.excaliburpathology.com From: Galbraith, Joe joseph-galbra...@uiowa.edu To: Bea DeBrosse-Serra bdebrosse-se...@isisph.com; Jennifer MacDonald jmacdon...@mtsac.edu; Heath, Nancy L. nhe...@lifespan.org Cc: Histonet Listserv (E-mail) histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu; histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu; D'Attilio, Shelley sdatt...@stormontvail.org Sent: Thu, August 25, 2011 1:07:26 PM Subject: RE: [Histonet] RE: Embedding process improvement and competencyassessment How disgusting to hear about cheating. I recall that someone was supposed to sign off as a witness that the applicant had done the work themselves. I spent months acquiring tissue, processing, embedding, cutting and staining a set of blocks and slides and was rewarded with a high score for the effort. It was something I could be proud of. As I recall we had to submit 25 or so slides back then only some of which were graded and the grading was really strict (but did vary with the grader). Joe Galbraith HTL (and also MT by the way) University of Iowa -Original Message- From: histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu [mailto:histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of Bea DeBrosse-Serra Sent: Thursday, August 25, 2011 12:14 PM To: 'Jennifer MacDonald'; Heath, Nancy L. Cc: Histonet Listserv (E-mail); histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu; D'Attilio, Shelley Subject: RE: [Histonet] RE: Embedding process improvement and competencyassessment I heard of a lot of cheating as well. People paid others to do the blocks and staining. How good does it do? In the end, these people are cheating themselves. Very sad! Beatrice DeBrosse-Serra HT(ASCP)QIHC Isis Pharmaceuticals Antisense Drug Discovery 1896 Rutherford Road Carlsbad, CA 92008 760-603-2371 -Original Message- From: histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu [mailto:histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of Jennifer MacDonald Sent: Thursday, August 25, 2011 7:58 AM To: Heath, Nancy L. Cc: Histonet Listserv (E-mail); histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu; D'Attilio, Shelley Subject: RE: [Histonet] RE: Embedding process improvement and competencyassessment I fail to see the correlation of a non HT person supervising the Histology lab and the lack of a practical exam for HT/HTL staff. One of the issues that Shelley brought up was the staff lost or did not develop their embedding skills. Submission of a practical exam is not proof of highly developed embedding skills. For the HT exam there were 8 blocks that were submitted (9 slides). I know of cases where the blocks were not even embedded or cut by the applicant. Heath, Nancy L. nhe...@lifespan.org Sent by: histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu 08/25/2011 07:11 AM To D'Attilio, Shelley sdatt...@stormontvail.org, Podawiltz, Thomas tpodawi...@lrgh.org, Histonet Listserv (E-mail) histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu cc Subject RE: [Histonet] RE: Embedding process improvement and competencyassessment This is exactly why the powers that be should have NEVER gotten rid of the practical portion of the HT/HTL board certification! -Original Message- From: histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu [mailto:histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of D'Attilio, Shelley Sent: Thursday, August 25, 2011 9:45 AM To: Podawiltz, Thomas; Histonet Listserv (E-mail) Subject: [Histonet] RE: Embedding process improvement and competencyassessment Hi Tom, Thank you for your kind words. I am off the bench almost completely. I can work in the gross room in a pinch and my counting skills are excellent, so I can always file slides and block if an emergency arises:) I occasionally cover a bench in Chemistry as well, but my staff is all pretty glad that I mostly stay in my office. Thanks so much for the embedding information. The main problem we are tackling at the moment is tissue orientation. I have written a pretty detailed embedding procedure that is being reviewed by the new histology supervisor. Our plan is to refresh the training of everyone on staff in conjunction with this procedure, then add specific embedding competencies to our checklist. I will make sure that the procedure incorporates the first 6 elements that you listed below. Currently we have a QA sheet that is given to the pathologist with each batch of slides. Pathologists provide us with feedback on the slide quality by filling out the form. Slides with sub-standard quality--whether in orientation, cutting, staining, whatever--our reviewed by every histotech in the lab with an aim to education and improvement of performance. We have a form called the Slide Quality Review Form that details
RE: [Histonet] RE: Embedding process improvementand competencyassessment
Man did that bring back some memories. Bill and I worked together in the same Navy lab and he is correct if a block was embedded wrong you would get it in either the back of the head or between the shoulders. They stopped throwing them at me the day I throw the block back at the microtomist and hit him in the head. We were a tough crew that saw a lot, did a lot, partied together a lot, but never lost the fact that we were there for patient care and treated all the specimens and bodies as if they came from a love one. When it came time for Bill and I to become the trainers we were brutal in how to embed, section and all other aspects of histology, I mean we only wanted perfection. Tom Podawiltz HT (ASCP) Histology Section Head/Laboratory Safety Officer. LRGHealthcare Laconia, NH 03246 603-524-3211 ext: 3220 -Original Message- From: histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu [mailto:histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of O'Donnell, Bill Sent: Thursday, August 25, 2011 1:57 PM To: Heath, Nancy L.; Jennifer MacDonald Cc: Histonet Listserv (E-mail); histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu; D'Attilio, Shelley Subject: RE: [Histonet] RE: Embedding process improvementand competencyassessment Just to throw a somewhat funny situation into the mix. I learned my embedding skills in the Navy. The basic method for learning all tasks was 1. explain it, 2. demonstrate it, 3. do it. Each microtomist was responsible for taking a good look at the block before cutting it. If the embedding was not spot-on, the block was always returned for reembedding. The method of return was to throw it at the back of my head. They rarely missed. Very quickly, I got tired of being hit in the head and my embedding improved. Can't do that kind of stuff now, even in the military. Who knew that histology used to be a contact sport? We've gotten so soft! As to the other situation, as a histology supervisor, I was over cytology in one of the labs I worked at. I doubt that I was much of a manager to them as I knew next to nothing about their work. However, I took the time to learn some aspects, and then just pretty much left them alone. (It was a mutual respect, they pretty much left me alone too.) They did a fine job of making me look good. I trusted them, and they didn't do anything to betray that trust. Because of that, I would simply sign-off on the occasional request. Evals were pretty easy as I simply interviewed the pathologists, checked attendance and moved on. That being said, I wouldn't want to have to do it again. They deserved better, but we made it work, since it wasn't going to change. Have a great day! William (Bill) O'Donnell, HT (ASCP) QIHC Senior Histologist Good Samaritan Hospital 10 East 31st Street Kearney, NE 68847 Check out my podcast at DeaconCast.Net SERENITY is not freedom from the storm, but peace amid the storm. Cultivate it in PRAYER! -Original Message- From: histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu [mailto:histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of Heath, Nancy L. Sent: Thursday, August 25, 2011 11:39 AM To: Jennifer MacDonald Cc: Histonet Listserv (E-mail); histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu; D'Attilio,Shelley Subject: RE: [Histonet] RE: Embedding process improvementand competencyassessment Regardless of wether there were 8 blocks or eighteen blocks taking the practical taught me to be precise with all of the hands on aspects of Histology. Shame on the older techs from the practical days of not keeping on top of their game with embedding. My comment was geared more towards the newbies coming out of histo schools who can pass the exam with flying colors but sit them in front of an embedding center or microtome and they are all thumbs! As far as a manager, I myself would rather have someone who has experience with histology over seeing my work. Just once again the lack of respect of having the HT/HTL behind your name. From: Jennifer MacDonald [mailto:jmacdon...@mtsac.edu] Sent: Thursday, August 25, 2011 10:58 AM To: Heath, Nancy L. Cc: Histonet Listserv (E-mail); histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu; D'Attilio, Shelley; Podawiltz, Thomas Subject: RE: [Histonet] RE: Embedding process improvement and competencyassessment I fail to see the correlation of a non HT person supervising the Histology lab and the lack of a practical exam for HT/HTL staff. One of the issues that Shelley brought up was the staff lost or did not develop their embedding skills. Submission of a practical exam is not proof of highly developed embedding skills. For the HT exam there were 8 blocks that were submitted (9 slides). I know of cases where the blocks were not even embedded or cut by the applicant. Heath, Nancy L. nhe...@lifespan.org Sent by: histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu 08/25/2011 07:11 AM To D'Attilio, Shelley sdatt...@stormontvail.org, Podawiltz, Thomas tpodawi...@lrgh.org
[Histonet] Re: Embedding process improvement...
Back to the question at hand, You will need to engage the pathologists to provide information as to the correct way to embed the skin specimens. If you have a dermatopathologist in your practice, that person will need to provide the information about how he/she dissects it, what he/she wants, and why. I have attended a continuing education lecture locally by a dermatopathologist and he showed HE slides of incomplete and improperly embedded skin samples. He could not render a proper diagnosis due to this histologist's inability to give him the correct view of the samples. How would you feel if that was your biopsy and someone embedded it with complete disregard? I would like to think that mistakes happen due to a misunderstanding and nothing more sinister. There was a time back in the day that we each had a grossing room rotation and watched how the pathologists did their grossing. I suspect in these busy labs and busy times, that happens less and less. Having the paper trail of the process and/or quality improvement can hopefully demonstrate competency. But the expectation alone can not provide that. The key is education. Teach us how it needs to be done correctly. Show us the results of our work. Have it evaluated and give constructive feedback. Everybody wins in this scenario. Teri Johnson, HT(ASCP)QIHC Head, Histology and Electron Microscopy Stowers Institute for Medical Research Kansas City, MO ___ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet
Re: [Histonet] Re: Embedding process improvement...
Starting with the gross dissection manual, pathologist input is excellent. I always assume that education is key! Thanks for points, good comment to this discussion Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry -Original Message- From: Johnson Teri t...@stowers.org Date: Thu, 25 Aug 2011 18:42:40 To: histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu Subject: [Histonet] Re: Embedding process improvement... Back to the question at hand, You will need to engage the pathologists to provide information as to the correct way to embed the skin specimens. If you have a dermatopathologist in your practice, that person will need to provide the information about how he/she dissects it, what he/she wants, and why. I have attended a continuing education lecture locally by a dermatopathologist and he showed HE slides of incomplete and improperly embedded skin samples. He could not render a proper diagnosis due to this histologist's inability to give him the correct view of the samples. How would you feel if that was your biopsy and someone embedded it with complete disregard? I would like to think that mistakes happen due to a misunderstanding and nothing more sinister. There was a time back in the day that we each had a grossing room rotation and watched how the pathologists did their grossing. I suspect in these busy labs and busy times, that happens less and less. Having the paper trail of the process and/or quality improvement can hopefully demonstrate competency. But the expectation alone can not provide that. The key is education. Teach us how it needs to be done correctly. Show us the results of our work. Have it evaluated and give constructive feedback. Everybody wins in this scenario. Teri Johnson, HT(ASCP)QIHC Head, Histology and Electron Microscopy Stowers Institute for Medical Research Kansas City, MO ___ 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
AW: [Histonet] RE: Embedding process improvement andcompetencyassessment
Lucky me. Being a MT in Austria I've learned also histotechniqe during education. ;) So no discussions like this. But in reality people working in histologic or chemical labs are of different species. I think managing and technical supervising are different skills. In small teams both is in close contact and a manager without histotech-knowledge has a hard life - and the coworkers also. Gudrun ___ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet
Re: AW: [Histonet] RE: Embedding process improvementandcompetencyassessment
Thank you for clarifying the essential element at hand. I have learned to appreciate the different skill sets indeed. Lucky you for having training in all. Joelle Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry -Original Message- From: Gudrun Lang gu.l...@gmx.at Date: Thu, 25 Aug 2011 18:53:09 To: histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu Subject: AW: [Histonet] RE: Embedding process improvement andcompetencyassessment Lucky me. Being a MT in Austria I've learned also histotechniqe during education. ;) So no discussions like this. But in reality people working in histologic or chemical labs are of different species. I think managing and technical supervising are different skills. In small teams both is in close contact and a manager without histotech-knowledge has a hard life - and the coworkers also. Gudrun ___ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet ___ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet
RE: [Histonet] RE: Embedding process improvementandcompetencyassessment
Tom, (and all those following this thread) And we got that ;) perfection. (Warning, long rant ahead... Rene's might have been longer, but he spread it out over a number of posts) (Hi Rene, I enjoyed your rant.) My biggest barrier in assimilating into the civilian workforce was that perfection wasn't required or even at times expected. I still can't get my head around that. Because of what was expected of me by my unit, 30 years later, my embedding is tight w nice, neat rows, cutting is neat and aligned and staining is crisp. (However, I will not win any speed contest) My point in this is not to blow my horn. Most of you out there turn out the same or better quality. My point is this, when supervisors and peers stop striving for perfection then there will always be a need for skills assessments and re-training. There will be little or no perfection. Over the last thirty years of training and supervising, I have always tried to instill the idea that we are dealing with a person's tissue. Wrapped up in that is a lot of anxiety and stress that the patient is having. The first thing a new trainee or tech had to do when they came to me (in the civilian world)was spend a week shadowing phlebotomy so that they got the chance to see some of the faces behind the samples. But in the last ten years or so, there has been too much emphasis on speed as a standard of performance, and in general, there has been a growing attitude that perfection isn't possible. (many factors to blame, I suppose) I once worked for a very demanding pathologist and because of his expectations, the whole crew put out near perfection. Pathologists that are OK with what they get, so long as they can make a diagnosis, are a huge part of that problem. But as supervisors, we only get what we expect of people and strive for and example ourselves. (The rest of the rant is anecdotal and not very interesting, but since I took the time to write it, here it is...) This was also the period (Navy)when I had to do that monster practical for the HT. Back then, it was not 7 or 8 slides, but many more with a large number of special stains as well. I knew if it passed the guys in our lab, it should be no problem passing the practical. The guy who took the test at the same time I did, picked his tissues on Wednesday, embedded them on Thursday cut cut and stained them on Saturday and mailed them on Monday. He had no concern at all that his work wouldn't be good enough. He passed the practical with a very respectable percentile. I think that helps to bolster the idea that an expectation that is demanded and fostered is one that can be confidently met. If people cheated. Then people cheated. There will always be that element. To discard that requirement (the practical) because of the cheat factor was a silly (remember, this is my rantnot yours) excuse that I have heard from some people who were part of the decision. What was lost was the incredable effort that was needed to do that practical and the experience of being able to produce registry quality slides. That is not cheating themselves, but robbing every pathologist and patient that followed until that person started to produce quality work. (Rany over, thanks to those who hung out til the end I hope it was worth it) I hope every one has a great weekend, as I am off on Friday and will be having a great weekend myself. Shalom - Bill -Original Message- From: Podawiltz, Thomas [mailto:tpodawi...@lrgh.org] Sent: Thursday, August 25, 2011 1:21 PM To: O'Donnell, Bill; Heath, Nancy L.; Jennifer MacDonald Cc: Histonet Listserv (E-mail); histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu; D'Attilio, Shelley Subject: RE: [Histonet] RE: Embedding process improvementandcompetencyassessment Man did that bring back some memories. Bill and I worked together in the same Navy lab and he is correct if a block was embedded wrong you would get it in either the back of the head or between the shoulders. They stopped throwing them at me the day I throw the block back at the microtomist and hit him in the head. We were a tough crew that saw a lot, did a lot, partied together a lot, but never lost the fact that we were there for patient care and treated all the specimens and bodies as if they came from a love one. When it came time for Bill and I to become the trainers we were brutal in how to embed, section and all other aspects of histology, I mean we only wanted perfection. Tom Podawiltz HT (ASCP) Histology Section Head/Laboratory Safety Officer. LRGHealthcare Laconia, NH 03246 603-524-3211 ext: 3220 -Original Message- From: histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu [mailto:histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of O'Donnell, Bill Sent: Thursday, August 25, 2011 1:57 PM To: Heath, Nancy L.; Jennifer MacDonald Cc: Histonet Listserv (E-mail); histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu; D'Attilio, Shelley Subject: RE: [Histonet] RE: Embedding process improvementand
[Histonet] RE: Embedding process improvement and competency assessment
Hi Tom, Thank you for your kind words. I am off the bench almost completely. I can work in the gross room in a pinch and my counting skills are excellent, so I can always file slides and block if an emergency arises:) I occasionally cover a bench in Chemistry as well, but my staff is all pretty glad that I mostly stay in my office. Thanks so much for the embedding information. The main problem we are tackling at the moment is tissue orientation. I have written a pretty detailed embedding procedure that is being reviewed by the new histology supervisor. Our plan is to refresh the training of everyone on staff in conjunction with this procedure, then add specific embedding competencies to our checklist. I will make sure that the procedure incorporates the first 6 elements that you listed below. Currently we have a QA sheet that is given to the pathologist with each batch of slides. Pathologists provide us with feedback on the slide quality by filling out the form. Slides with sub-standard quality--whether in orientation, cutting, staining, whatever--our reviewed by every histotech in the lab with an aim to education and improvement of performance. We have a form called the Slide Quality Review Form that details the quality issue. Techs are directed to review the slides and comment. Difficult cases or those where people disagree are discussed in our department meetings. One of our difficulties over the years has been how the work was divided between the histotechs. One histotech loved to embed and was very good at it, so he did most of the embedding. He eventually moved to an overnight shift, which resulted in him embedding even more than he was. Consequently, other staff people either lost their skills or never fully developed them. It was introduction of rapid processing that really brought this issue to the forefront, since different people were embedding at different times of the day. Unfortunately, I let my NSH membership lapse this year for budgetary reasons. I have purchased quite a few resources over the years from NSH, and even attended the NSH annual meeting a few years ago when it was in Phoenix. I will reconsider my decision to drop my membership. For those on the list, here is Tom's response to my question: Hi Shelley, I would suggest you join NSH, they have all kinds of reference material for this type of work. Please tell me you are off the bench, you have a lot to monitor and if you are working the bench on top of your management duties my prayers go out to you. Embedding: 1. Proper size of mold in relation to specimen size. 2. Proper orientation of tissue, example 5 skin biopsies, dermis must face the same direction, and be at an angle to the blade so when you cut the section cuts smoothly and doesn't roll up. 3. Multiple pieces all on the same plane. If one piece is deeper than the others you must re-embed, or you will cut through the other pieces before you reach it. 4. Make sure that the embedding unit is wipe down between each case as are the forceps, this will avoid tissue floaters. 5. Never open more than one cassette at a time. 6. Verify that the piece count on the work sheet matches what is in the cassette when it is opened. 7. Never hound the staff about speed, accuracy is more important, speed comes with experience. If its embedded wrong, it will be cut wrong and this will effect diagnosis. 8. What do you do for QA on the slides?I have a work sheet that the Pathologist fills out each day about the slides, which is the end product of embedding. I hope my tips help you and feel free to contact me if you need anything. Tom Podawiltz, HT (ASCP) Histology Section Head/Laboratory Safety Officer LRGHealthcare 603-524-3211 ext: 3220 NEED A DOCTOR? Stormont-Vail's Health Connections can help you find a doctor accepting new patients. Call (785) 354-5225. ** The information transmitted in this e-mail and in any replies and forwards are for the sole use of the above individual(s) or entities and may contain proprietary, privileged and/or highly confidential information. Any unauthorized dissemination, review, distribution or copying of these communications is strictly prohibited. If this e-mail has been transmitted to you in error, please notify and return the original message to the sender immediately at the above listed address. Thank you for your cooperation. ** ___ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet
RE: [Histonet] RE: Embedding process improvement and competencyassessment
This is exactly why the powers that be should have NEVER gotten rid of the practical portion of the HT/HTL board certification! -Original Message- From: histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu [mailto:histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of D'Attilio, Shelley Sent: Thursday, August 25, 2011 9:45 AM To: Podawiltz, Thomas; Histonet Listserv (E-mail) Subject: [Histonet] RE: Embedding process improvement and competencyassessment Hi Tom, Thank you for your kind words. I am off the bench almost completely. I can work in the gross room in a pinch and my counting skills are excellent, so I can always file slides and block if an emergency arises:) I occasionally cover a bench in Chemistry as well, but my staff is all pretty glad that I mostly stay in my office. Thanks so much for the embedding information. The main problem we are tackling at the moment is tissue orientation. I have written a pretty detailed embedding procedure that is being reviewed by the new histology supervisor. Our plan is to refresh the training of everyone on staff in conjunction with this procedure, then add specific embedding competencies to our checklist. I will make sure that the procedure incorporates the first 6 elements that you listed below. Currently we have a QA sheet that is given to the pathologist with each batch of slides. Pathologists provide us with feedback on the slide quality by filling out the form. Slides with sub-standard quality--whether in orientation, cutting, staining, whatever--our reviewed by every histotech in the lab with an aim to education and improvement of performance. We have a form called the Slide Quality Review Form that details the quality issue. Techs are directed to review the slides and comment. Difficult cases or those where people disagree are discussed in our department meetings. One of our difficulties over the years has been how the work was divided between the histotechs. One histotech loved to embed and was very good at it, so he did most of the embedding. He eventually moved to an overnight shift, which resulted in him embedding even more than he was. Consequently, other staff people either lost their skills or never fully developed them. It was introduction of rapid processing that really brought this issue to the forefront, since different people were embedding at different times of the day. Unfortunately, I let my NSH membership lapse this year for budgetary reasons. I have purchased quite a few resources over the years from NSH, and even attended the NSH annual meeting a few years ago when it was in Phoenix. I will reconsider my decision to drop my membership. For those on the list, here is Tom's response to my question: Hi Shelley, I would suggest you join NSH, they have all kinds of reference material for this type of work. Please tell me you are off the bench, you have a lot to monitor and if you are working the bench on top of your management duties my prayers go out to you. Embedding: 1. Proper size of mold in relation to specimen size. 2. Proper orientation of tissue, example 5 skin biopsies, dermis must face the same direction, and be at an angle to the blade so when you cut the section cuts smoothly and doesn't roll up. 3. Multiple pieces all on the same plane. If one piece is deeper than the others you must re-embed, or you will cut through the other pieces before you reach it. 4. Make sure that the embedding unit is wipe down between each case as are the forceps, this will avoid tissue floaters. 5. Never open more than one cassette at a time. 6. Verify that the piece count on the work sheet matches what is in the cassette when it is opened. 7. Never hound the staff about speed, accuracy is more important, speed comes with experience. If its embedded wrong, it will be cut wrong and this will effect diagnosis. 8. What do you do for QA on the slides?I have a work sheet that the Pathologist fills out each day about the slides, which is the end product of embedding. I hope my tips help you and feel free to contact me if you need anything. Tom Podawiltz, HT (ASCP) Histology Section Head/Laboratory Safety Officer LRGHealthcare 603-524-3211 ext: 3220 NEED A DOCTOR? Stormont-Vail's Health Connections can help you find a doctor accepting new patients. Call (785) 354-5225. ** The information transmitted in this e-mail and in any replies and forwards are for the sole use of the above individual(s) or entities and may contain proprietary, privileged and/or highly confidential information. Any unauthorized dissemination, review, distribution or copying of these communications is strictly prohibited. If this e-mail has been transmitted to you in error, please notify and return the original message to the sender immediately at the above listed address. Thank
[Histonet] Re: Embedding process improvement and competency assessment
Dear Shelly, I would work for you without reserve. I have managed both cytometry and Electron Microscopy successfully, and I cannot do either technique. However, I understand enough about it to make sound decisions and empower my people enough that it works well. It is possible to do well if done properly. The hardest part is proving yourself to those who have preconceived notions as to your worth and suitability because you are not an HT. Best wishes, Teri Johnson, HT(ASCP)QIHC Head, Histology and Electron Microscopy Stowers Institute for Medical Research Kansas City, MO ___ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet
Re: [Histonet] Re: Embedding process improvement and competency assessment
Well said. Johnson, Teri t...@stowers.org Sent by: histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu 08/25/2011 07:39 AM To Histonet histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu cc Subject [Histonet] Re: Embedding process improvement and competency assessment Dear Shelly, I would work for you without reserve. I have managed both cytometry and Electron Microscopy successfully, and I cannot do either technique. However, I understand enough about it to make sound decisions and empower my people enough that it works well. It is possible to do well if done properly. The hardest part is proving yourself to those who have preconceived notions as to your worth and suitability because you are not an HT. Best wishes, Teri Johnson, HT(ASCP)QIHC Head, Histology and Electron Microscopy Stowers Institute for Medical Research Kansas City, MO ___ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet ___ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet
RE: [Histonet] RE: Embedding process improvement and competencyassessment
I fail to see the correlation of a non HT person supervising the Histology lab and the lack of a practical exam for HT/HTL staff. One of the issues that Shelley brought up was the staff lost or did not develop their embedding skills. Submission of a practical exam is not proof of highly developed embedding skills. For the HT exam there were 8 blocks that were submitted (9 slides). I know of cases where the blocks were not even embedded or cut by the applicant. Heath, Nancy L. nhe...@lifespan.org Sent by: histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu 08/25/2011 07:11 AM To D'Attilio, Shelley sdatt...@stormontvail.org, Podawiltz, Thomas tpodawi...@lrgh.org, Histonet Listserv (E-mail) histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu cc Subject RE: [Histonet] RE: Embedding process improvement and competencyassessment This is exactly why the powers that be should have NEVER gotten rid of the practical portion of the HT/HTL board certification! -Original Message- From: histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu [mailto:histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of D'Attilio, Shelley Sent: Thursday, August 25, 2011 9:45 AM To: Podawiltz, Thomas; Histonet Listserv (E-mail) Subject: [Histonet] RE: Embedding process improvement and competencyassessment Hi Tom, Thank you for your kind words. I am off the bench almost completely. I can work in the gross room in a pinch and my counting skills are excellent, so I can always file slides and block if an emergency arises:) I occasionally cover a bench in Chemistry as well, but my staff is all pretty glad that I mostly stay in my office. Thanks so much for the embedding information. The main problem we are tackling at the moment is tissue orientation. I have written a pretty detailed embedding procedure that is being reviewed by the new histology supervisor. Our plan is to refresh the training of everyone on staff in conjunction with this procedure, then add specific embedding competencies to our checklist. I will make sure that the procedure incorporates the first 6 elements that you listed below. Currently we have a QA sheet that is given to the pathologist with each batch of slides. Pathologists provide us with feedback on the slide quality by filling out the form. Slides with sub-standard quality--whether in orientation, cutting, staining, whatever--our reviewed by every histotech in the lab with an aim to education and improvement of performance. We have a form called the Slide Quality Review Form that details the quality issue. Techs are directed to review the slides and comment. Difficult cases or those where people disagree are discussed in our department meetings. One of our difficulties over the years has been how the work was divided between the histotechs. One histotech loved to embed and was very good at it, so he did most of the embedding. He eventually moved to an overnight shift, which resulted in him embedding even more than he was. Consequently, other staff people either lost their skills or never fully developed them. It was introduction of rapid processing that really brought this issue to the forefront, since different people were embedding at different times of the day. Unfortunately, I let my NSH membership lapse this year for budgetary reasons. I have purchased quite a few resources over the years from NSH, and even attended the NSH annual meeting a few years ago when it was in Phoenix. I will reconsider my decision to drop my membership. For those on the list, here is Tom's response to my question: Hi Shelley, I would suggest you join NSH, they have all kinds of reference material for this type of work. Please tell me you are off the bench, you have a lot to monitor and if you are working the bench on top of your management duties my prayers go out to you. Embedding: 1. Proper size of mold in relation to specimen size. 2. Proper orientation of tissue, example 5 skin biopsies, dermis must face the same direction, and be at an angle to the blade so when you cut the section cuts smoothly and doesn't roll up. 3. Multiple pieces all on the same plane. If one piece is deeper than the others you must re-embed, or you will cut through the other pieces before you reach it. 4. Make sure that the embedding unit is wipe down between each case as are the forceps, this will avoid tissue floaters. 5. Never open more than one cassette at a time. 6. Verify that the piece count on the work sheet matches what is in the cassette when it is opened. 7. Never hound the staff about speed, accuracy is more important, speed comes with experience. If its embedded wrong, it will be cut wrong and this will effect diagnosis. 8. What do you do for QA on the slides?I have a work sheet that the Pathologist fills out each day about the slides, which is the end product of embedding. I hope my tips help you and feel free to contact me if you need anything. Tom Podawiltz, HT (ASCP) Histology Section Head/Laboratory
RE: [Histonet] RE: Embedding process improvement and competencyassessment
Regardless of wether there were 8 blocks or eighteen blocks taking the practical taught me to be precise with all of the hands on aspects of Histology. Shame on the older techs from the practical days of not keeping on top of their game with embedding. My comment was geared more towards the newbies coming out of histo schools who can pass the exam with flying colors but sit them in front of an embedding center or microtome and they are all thumbs! As far as a manager, I myself would rather have someone who has experience with histology over seeing my work. Just once again the lack of respect of having the HT/HTL behind your name. From: Jennifer MacDonald [mailto:jmacdon...@mtsac.edu] Sent: Thursday, August 25, 2011 10:58 AM To: Heath, Nancy L. Cc: Histonet Listserv (E-mail); histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu; D'Attilio, Shelley; Podawiltz, Thomas Subject: RE: [Histonet] RE: Embedding process improvement and competencyassessment I fail to see the correlation of a non HT person supervising the Histology lab and the lack of a practical exam for HT/HTL staff. One of the issues that Shelley brought up was the staff lost or did not develop their embedding skills. Submission of a practical exam is not proof of highly developed embedding skills. For the HT exam there were 8 blocks that were submitted (9 slides). I know of cases where the blocks were not even embedded or cut by the applicant. Heath, Nancy L. nhe...@lifespan.org Sent by: histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu 08/25/2011 07:11 AM To D'Attilio, Shelley sdatt...@stormontvail.org, Podawiltz, Thomas tpodawi...@lrgh.org, Histonet Listserv (E-mail) histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu cc Subject RE: [Histonet] RE: Embedding process improvement and competencyassessment This is exactly why the powers that be should have NEVER gotten rid of the practical portion of the HT/HTL board certification! -Original Message- From: histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu [mailto:histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of D'Attilio, Shelley Sent: Thursday, August 25, 2011 9:45 AM To: Podawiltz, Thomas; Histonet Listserv (E-mail) Subject: [Histonet] RE: Embedding process improvement and competencyassessment Hi Tom, Thank you for your kind words. I am off the bench almost completely. I can work in the gross room in a pinch and my counting skills are excellent, so I can always file slides and block if an emergency arises:) I occasionally cover a bench in Chemistry as well, but my staff is all pretty glad that I mostly stay in my office. Thanks so much for the embedding information. The main problem we are tackling at the moment is tissue orientation. I have written a pretty detailed embedding procedure that is being reviewed by the new histology supervisor. Our plan is to refresh the training of everyone on staff in conjunction with this procedure, then add specific embedding competencies to our checklist. I will make sure that the procedure incorporates the first 6 elements that you listed below. Currently we have a QA sheet that is given to the pathologist with each batch of slides. Pathologists provide us with feedback on the slide quality by filling out the form. Slides with sub-standard quality--whether in orientation, cutting, staining, whatever--our reviewed by every histotech in the lab with an aim to education and improvement of performance. We have a form called the Slide Quality Review Form that details the quality issue. Techs are directed to review the slides and comment. Difficult cases or those where people disagree are discussed in our department meetings. One of our difficulties over the years has been how the work was divided between the histotechs. One histotech loved to embed and was very good at it, so he did most of the embedding. He eventually moved to an overnight shift, which resulted in him embedding even more than he was. Consequently, other staff people either lost their skills or never fully developed them. It was introduction of rapid processing that really brought this issue to the forefront, since different people were embedding at different times of the day. Unfortunately, I let my NSH membership lapse this year for budgetary reasons. I have purchased quite a few resources over the years from NSH, and even attended the NSH annual meeting a few years ago when it was in Phoenix. I will reconsider my decision to drop my membership. For those on the list, here is Tom's response to my question: Hi Shelley, I would suggest you join NSH, they have all kinds of reference material for this type of work. Please tell me you are off the bench, you have a lot to monitor and if you are working the bench on top of your management duties my prayers go out to you. Embedding: 1. Proper size of mold in relation to specimen size. 2. Proper orientation of tissue, example 5 skin biopsies, dermis must face the same direction
RE: [Histonet] RE: Embedding process improvement and competencyassessment
That is unfortunate that people will resort to dishonesty, only cheating themselves in my humble opinion... According to NAACLS, since the discontinuation of the practical component of the HT exam( per Zoe) it is the responsibility of the program directors to require practical blocks and slides in HT training programs. Couldn't a histology supervisor or lead person create a similar process in their lab, if they wished to do so, for those who did not complete a formal program? Maybe something like a technincal proficiency from their procedures and competency standard that includes demonstration of manual execution and technical quality and mastery ? I also think this plays in with quality control documentation and assessment, ( which could be considered as a MGMT function) i.e. documenting versus execution of theory understanding and technical task(s) . Personally, I know that I have always included this technical execution in the proficiency any time that I have been involved or responsible for assessment, training and evaluation, since there is theory and practical execution to be considered...but once the method and means are in place, it should be applicable in many situations with persons at different places in their learning, experience and training, in my opinion. I have seen this applied in several histology labs successfully, and included with the QMS and procedures. I know that having a histologist involved in this development process, could be crucial, as already pointed out in this discussion thread, but I think given the shortage of trained people, with the right attitude many high level managing activities could be supported or performed by an otherwise trained administrator . Joelle Weaver MAOM, BA, (HTL) ASCP To: nhe...@lifespan.org From: jmacdon...@mtsac.edu Date: Thu, 25 Aug 2011 07:57:46 -0700 Subject: RE: [Histonet] RE: Embedding process improvement and competencyassessment CC: histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu; histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu; sdatt...@stormontvail.org I fail to see the correlation of a non HT person supervising the Histology lab and the lack of a practical exam for HT/HTL staff. One of the issues that Shelley brought up was the staff lost or did not develop their embedding skills. Submission of a practical exam is not proof of highly developed embedding skills. For the HT exam there were 8 blocks that were submitted (9 slides). I know of cases where the blocks were not even embedded or cut by the applicant. Heath, Nancy L. nhe...@lifespan.org Sent by: histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu 08/25/2011 07:11 AM To D'Attilio, Shelley sdatt...@stormontvail.org, Podawiltz, Thomas tpodawi...@lrgh.org, Histonet Listserv (E-mail) histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu cc Subject RE: [Histonet] RE: Embedding process improvement and competencyassessment This is exactly why the powers that be should have NEVER gotten rid of the practical portion of the HT/HTL board certification! -Original Message- From: histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu [mailto:histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of D'Attilio, Shelley Sent: Thursday, August 25, 2011 9:45 AM To: Podawiltz, Thomas; Histonet Listserv (E-mail) Subject: [Histonet] RE: Embedding process improvement and competencyassessment Hi Tom, Thank you for your kind words. I am off the bench almost completely. I can work in the gross room in a pinch and my counting skills are excellent, so I can always file slides and block if an emergency arises:) I occasionally cover a bench in Chemistry as well, but my staff is all pretty glad that I mostly stay in my office. Thanks so much for the embedding information. The main problem we are tackling at the moment is tissue orientation. I have written a pretty detailed embedding procedure that is being reviewed by the new histology supervisor. Our plan is to refresh the training of everyone on staff in conjunction with this procedure, then add specific embedding competencies to our checklist. I will make sure that the procedure incorporates the first 6 elements that you listed below. Currently we have a QA sheet that is given to the pathologist with each batch of slides. Pathologists provide us with feedback on the slide quality by filling out the form. Slides with sub-standard quality--whether in orientation, cutting, staining, whatever--our reviewed by every histotech in the lab with an aim to education and improvement of performance. We have a form called the Slide Quality Review Form that details the quality issue. Techs are directed to review the slides and comment. Difficult cases or those where people disagree are discussed in our department meetings. One of our difficulties over the years has been how the work was divided between the histotechs. One histotech loved to embed and was very good at it, so he did most
RE: [Histonet] RE: Embedding process improvement and competencyassessment
I heard of a lot of cheating as well. People paid others to do the blocks and staining. How good does it do? In the end, these people are cheating themselves. Very sad! Beatrice DeBrosse-Serra HT(ASCP)QIHC Isis Pharmaceuticals Antisense Drug Discovery 1896 Rutherford Road Carlsbad, CA 92008 760-603-2371 -Original Message- From: histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu [mailto:histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of Jennifer MacDonald Sent: Thursday, August 25, 2011 7:58 AM To: Heath, Nancy L. Cc: Histonet Listserv (E-mail); histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu; D'Attilio, Shelley Subject: RE: [Histonet] RE: Embedding process improvement and competencyassessment I fail to see the correlation of a non HT person supervising the Histology lab and the lack of a practical exam for HT/HTL staff. One of the issues that Shelley brought up was the staff lost or did not develop their embedding skills. Submission of a practical exam is not proof of highly developed embedding skills. For the HT exam there were 8 blocks that were submitted (9 slides). I know of cases where the blocks were not even embedded or cut by the applicant. Heath, Nancy L. nhe...@lifespan.org Sent by: histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu 08/25/2011 07:11 AM To D'Attilio, Shelley sdatt...@stormontvail.org, Podawiltz, Thomas tpodawi...@lrgh.org, Histonet Listserv (E-mail) histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu cc Subject RE: [Histonet] RE: Embedding process improvement and competencyassessment This is exactly why the powers that be should have NEVER gotten rid of the practical portion of the HT/HTL board certification! -Original Message- From: histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu [mailto:histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of D'Attilio, Shelley Sent: Thursday, August 25, 2011 9:45 AM To: Podawiltz, Thomas; Histonet Listserv (E-mail) Subject: [Histonet] RE: Embedding process improvement and competencyassessment Hi Tom, Thank you for your kind words. I am off the bench almost completely. I can work in the gross room in a pinch and my counting skills are excellent, so I can always file slides and block if an emergency arises:) I occasionally cover a bench in Chemistry as well, but my staff is all pretty glad that I mostly stay in my office. Thanks so much for the embedding information. The main problem we are tackling at the moment is tissue orientation. I have written a pretty detailed embedding procedure that is being reviewed by the new histology supervisor. Our plan is to refresh the training of everyone on staff in conjunction with this procedure, then add specific embedding competencies to our checklist. I will make sure that the procedure incorporates the first 6 elements that you listed below. Currently we have a QA sheet that is given to the pathologist with each batch of slides. Pathologists provide us with feedback on the slide quality by filling out the form. Slides with sub-standard quality--whether in orientation, cutting, staining, whatever--our reviewed by every histotech in the lab with an aim to education and improvement of performance. We have a form called the Slide Quality Review Form that details the quality issue. Techs are directed to review the slides and comment. Difficult cases or those where people disagree are discussed in our department meetings. One of our difficulties over the years has been how the work was divided between the histotechs. One histotech loved to embed and was very good at it, so he did most of the embedding. He eventually moved to an overnight shift, which resulted in him embedding even more than he was. Consequently, other staff people either lost their skills or never fully developed them. It was introduction of rapid processing that really brought this issue to the forefront, since different people were embedding at different times of the day. Unfortunately, I let my NSH membership lapse this year for budgetary reasons. I have purchased quite a few resources over the years from NSH, and even attended the NSH annual meeting a few years ago when it was in Phoenix. I will reconsider my decision to drop my membership. For those on the list, here is Tom's response to my question: Hi Shelley, I would suggest you join NSH, they have all kinds of reference material for this type of work. Please tell me you are off the bench, you have a lot to monitor and if you are working the bench on top of your management duties my prayers go out to you. Embedding: 1. Proper size of mold in relation to specimen size. 2. Proper orientation of tissue, example 5 skin biopsies, dermis must face the same direction, and be at an angle to the blade so when you cut the section cuts smoothly and doesn't roll up. 3. Multiple pieces all on the same plane. If one piece is deeper than the others you must re-embed, or you will cut through the other pieces before you reach it. 4. Make sure
RE: [Histonet] RE: Embedding process improvement and competencyassessment
This point is well taken- I agree that our experience and knowledge often goes unrecognized. In my humble opinion , it takes all components, theory knowledge, extended practice and forthcoming technical mastery... some of this can come with academic study, some comes with actual doing . No doubt we are not there yet in having the best system for training new people coming in, it has been an ongoing industry challenge. Some managers seem to understand the components needed, some do not. Certainly helps to be a histologist in any case, for any type of management of this lab section. Do to our lack of recognition in some markets I guess, we often have MT people as supervisors and managers, they bring some things to the table, but lack some insights it seems. But what I am suggesting that we can try to do, is to get those willing and already in those positions, to an understanding for what is particularly needed for histology. Some MT managers I have had have in the past, have been pretty good and are open to this, some unfortunately have demonstrated the dissappointing attitude that anyone can do histology...and seem to try to fill the need with any warm body. In my experience, with few exceptions, I have never seen the warm body method of filling staffing needs work out very well. Joelle Joelle Weaver MAOM, BA, (HTL) ASCP Date: Thu, 25 Aug 2011 12:39:16 -0400 From: nhe...@lifespan.org To: jmacdon...@mtsac.edu Subject: RE: [Histonet] RE: Embedding process improvement and competencyassessment CC: histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu; histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu; sdatt...@stormontvail.org Regardless of wether there were 8 blocks or eighteen blocks taking the practical taught me to be precise with all of the hands on aspects of Histology. Shame on the older techs from the practical days of not keeping on top of their game with embedding. My comment was geared more towards the newbies coming out of histo schools who can pass the exam with flying colors but sit them in front of an embedding center or microtome and they are all thumbs! As far as a manager, I myself would rather have someone who has experience with histology over seeing my work. Just once again the lack of respect of having the HT/HTL behind your name. From: Jennifer MacDonald [mailto:jmacdon...@mtsac.edu] Sent: Thursday, August 25, 2011 10:58 AM To: Heath, Nancy L. Cc: Histonet Listserv (E-mail); histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu; D'Attilio, Shelley; Podawiltz, Thomas Subject: RE: [Histonet] RE: Embedding process improvement and competencyassessment I fail to see the correlation of a non HT person supervising the Histology lab and the lack of a practical exam for HT/HTL staff. One of the issues that Shelley brought up was the staff lost or did not develop their embedding skills. Submission of a practical exam is not proof of highly developed embedding skills. For the HT exam there were 8 blocks that were submitted (9 slides). I know of cases where the blocks were not even embedded or cut by the applicant. Heath, Nancy L. nhe...@lifespan.org Sent by: histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu 08/25/2011 07:11 AM To D'Attilio, Shelley sdatt...@stormontvail.org, Podawiltz, Thomas tpodawi...@lrgh.org, Histonet Listserv (E-mail) histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu cc Subject RE: [Histonet] RE: Embedding process improvement and competencyassessment This is exactly why the powers that be should have NEVER gotten rid of the practical portion of the HT/HTL board certification! -Original Message- From: histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu [mailto:histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of D'Attilio, Shelley Sent: Thursday, August 25, 2011 9:45 AM To: Podawiltz, Thomas; Histonet Listserv (E-mail) Subject: [Histonet] RE: Embedding process improvement and competencyassessment Hi Tom, Thank you for your kind words. I am off the bench almost completely. I can work in the gross room in a pinch and my counting skills are excellent, so I can always file slides and block if an emergency arises:) I occasionally cover a bench in Chemistry as well, but my staff is all pretty glad that I mostly stay in my office. Thanks so much for the embedding information. The main problem we are tackling at the moment is tissue orientation. I have written a pretty detailed embedding procedure that is being reviewed by the new histology supervisor. Our plan is to refresh the training of everyone on staff in conjunction with this procedure, then add specific embedding competencies to our checklist. I will make sure that the procedure incorporates the first 6 elements that you listed below. Currently we have a QA sheet that is given to the pathologist with each batch of slides. Pathologists provide us with feedback on the slide quality by filling out the form
RE: [Histonet] RE: Embedding process improvementand competencyassessment
Just to throw a somewhat funny situation into the mix. I learned my embedding skills in the Navy. The basic method for learning all tasks was 1. explain it, 2. demonstrate it, 3. do it. Each microtomist was responsible for taking a good look at the block before cutting it. If the embedding was not spot-on, the block was always returned for reembedding. The method of return was to throw it at the back of my head. They rarely missed. Very quickly, I got tired of being hit in the head and my embedding improved. Can't do that kind of stuff now, even in the military. Who knew that histology used to be a contact sport? We've gotten so soft! As to the other situation, as a histology supervisor, I was over cytology in one of the labs I worked at. I doubt that I was much of a manager to them as I knew next to nothing about their work. However, I took the time to learn some aspects, and then just pretty much left them alone. (It was a mutual respect, they pretty much left me alone too.) They did a fine job of making me look good. I trusted them, and they didn't do anything to betray that trust. Because of that, I would simply sign-off on the occasional request. Evals were pretty easy as I simply interviewed the pathologists, checked attendance and moved on. That being said, I wouldn't want to have to do it again. They deserved better, but we made it work, since it wasn't going to change. Have a great day! William (Bill) O'Donnell, HT (ASCP) QIHC Senior Histologist Good Samaritan Hospital 10 East 31st Street Kearney, NE 68847 Check out my podcast at DeaconCast.Net SERENITY is not freedom from the storm, but peace amid the storm. Cultivate it in PRAYER! -Original Message- From: histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu [mailto:histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of Heath, Nancy L. Sent: Thursday, August 25, 2011 11:39 AM To: Jennifer MacDonald Cc: Histonet Listserv (E-mail); histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu; D'Attilio,Shelley Subject: RE: [Histonet] RE: Embedding process improvementand competencyassessment Regardless of wether there were 8 blocks or eighteen blocks taking the practical taught me to be precise with all of the hands on aspects of Histology. Shame on the older techs from the practical days of not keeping on top of their game with embedding. My comment was geared more towards the newbies coming out of histo schools who can pass the exam with flying colors but sit them in front of an embedding center or microtome and they are all thumbs! As far as a manager, I myself would rather have someone who has experience with histology over seeing my work. Just once again the lack of respect of having the HT/HTL behind your name. From: Jennifer MacDonald [mailto:jmacdon...@mtsac.edu] Sent: Thursday, August 25, 2011 10:58 AM To: Heath, Nancy L. Cc: Histonet Listserv (E-mail); histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu; D'Attilio, Shelley; Podawiltz, Thomas Subject: RE: [Histonet] RE: Embedding process improvement and competencyassessment I fail to see the correlation of a non HT person supervising the Histology lab and the lack of a practical exam for HT/HTL staff. One of the issues that Shelley brought up was the staff lost or did not develop their embedding skills. Submission of a practical exam is not proof of highly developed embedding skills. For the HT exam there were 8 blocks that were submitted (9 slides). I know of cases where the blocks were not even embedded or cut by the applicant. Heath, Nancy L. nhe...@lifespan.org Sent by: histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu 08/25/2011 07:11 AM To D'Attilio, Shelley sdatt...@stormontvail.org, Podawiltz, Thomas tpodawi...@lrgh.org, Histonet Listserv (E-mail) histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu cc Subject RE: [Histonet] RE: Embedding process improvement and competencyassessment This is exactly why the powers that be should have NEVER gotten rid of the practical portion of the HT/HTL board certification! -Original Message- From: histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu [mailto:histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of D'Attilio, Shelley Sent: Thursday, August 25, 2011 9:45 AM To: Podawiltz, Thomas; Histonet Listserv (E-mail) Subject: [Histonet] RE: Embedding process improvement and competencyassessment Hi Tom, Thank you for your kind words. I am off the bench almost completely. I can work in the gross room in a pinch and my counting skills are excellent, so I can always file slides and block if an emergency arises:) I occasionally cover a bench in Chemistry as well, but my staff is all pretty glad that I mostly stay in my office. Thanks so much for the embedding information. The main problem we are tackling at the moment is tissue orientation. I have written a pretty detailed embedding procedure that is being reviewed by the new histology supervisor. Our plan is to refresh the training of everyone on staff
Re: [Histonet] Re: Embedding Media
I continuation of same discussion , i would like to have clarification for our lab..we use beaded paraffin Leica Paraplast both for processing and embedding . Do you advice us to use different paraffin for both steps? Paula, Please share if you get any feed back on Richard Allan product. Amita From: Tim Higgins thigg...@cddmedical.com To: histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu Date: 07/08/2011 11:34 PM Subject:[Histonet] Re: Embedding Media Sent by:histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu Hi Paula, Obviously there are no compression free paraffin's on the market. Look for a paraffin with a higher polymer content, this makes the paraffin firmer and less likely to compress. Other factor for into section compression but paraffin is a good place to start. The higher polymer paraffin's are not as suited for processing, it is more for the embedding portion of the process. Use a paraffin with lower polymers content in the processor and higher for embedding and you will like the results. Tim Date: Fri, 8 Jul 2011 09:44:51 -0700 From: Paula Lucas plu...@biopath.org Subject: [Histonet] Embedding Media To: histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu Message-ID: 9251EDA88CA748D6861A0C3BB0E32FCB@biopath.local Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Hello, We are considering a switch to a different brand of paraffin and this is because I feel we are having too many compressions in some of our tissue sections. Currently, we use Tissue Path Paraplast, regular. I would like to get feedback from you as to what you prefer. Looking on line, Richard Allan has a product called Signature Series Paraffin that comes in a type L that offers compression-free sections and I was also hoping to get any feedback on that product. I would greatly appreciate any suggestions and thoughts. Thanks in advance, Paula ___ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet ___ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet
Re: [Histonet] Re: Embedding Media
Amita, The paraffin that we use is also a Leica product. It was formerly sold under the Surgipath label, but since to companies have merged together, it now sells under the Leica name. It is a beaded pellet paraffin and has a version suitable for infiltration and a version suitable for embedding. The box of the embedding paraffin suggests it can be utilized for *both* purposes, however we do not choose to use it that way. So yes, we use two different types of paraffin. Hope that helps! Michelle On Jul 11, 2011, at 2:07 AM, amitapan...@torrentpharma.com wrote: I continuation of same discussion , i would like to have clarification for our lab..we use beaded paraffin Leica Paraplast both for processing and embedding . Do you advice us to use different paraffin for both steps? Paula, Please share if you get any feed back on Richard Allan product. Amita From: Tim Higgins thigg...@cddmedical.com To: histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu Date: 07/08/2011 11:34 PM Subject:[Histonet] Re: Embedding Media Sent by:histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu Hi Paula, Obviously there are no compression free paraffin's on the market. Look for a paraffin with a higher polymer content, this makes the paraffin firmer and less likely to compress. Other factor for into section compression but paraffin is a good place to start. The higher polymer paraffin's are not as suited for processing, it is more for the embedding portion of the process. Use a paraffin with lower polymers content in the processor and higher for embedding and you will like the results. Tim Date: Fri, 8 Jul 2011 09:44:51 -0700 From: Paula Lucas plu...@biopath.org Subject: [Histonet] Embedding Media To: histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu Message-ID: 9251EDA88CA748D6861A0C3BB0E32FCB@biopath.local Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Hello, We are considering a switch to a different brand of paraffin and this is because I feel we are having too many compressions in some of our tissue sections. Currently, we use Tissue Path Paraplast, regular. I would like to get feedback from you as to what you prefer. Looking on line, Richard Allan has a product called Signature Series Paraffin that comes in a type L that offers compression-free sections and I was also hoping to get any feedback on that product. I would greatly appreciate any suggestions and thoughts. Thanks in advance, Paula ___ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet ___ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet ___ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet
Re: [Histonet] Re: Embedding Media
In spite of many opinions on the contrary, I always found an error to use two different paraffins: = one for INFILTRATION and the other for EMBEDDING. You have to consider that, theoretical this is a mistake, because the paraffin that has infiltrated the tissue and REMAINS inside it sustaining its microscopic architecture should be the same, with the same resistance to cutting, than the embedding paraffin. The thing is that you have to select a paraffin adequate for your subjects. When many years ago I used to work with plant material I always used a high melting point paraffin (63-65ºC from Merck), a lower melting point (53-57ºC) for adult animal tissue, and a softer paraffin (45-50ºC) for embryonic material. Having a tissue infiltrated with a paraffin with a certain melting point (resistance) surrounded by ANOTHER paraffin with a different melting point (either higher or lower, but usually higher) is a mistake. Select a paraffin adequate for your subject and use it for both the infiltration and the embedding. René J. --- On Mon, 7/11/11, amitapan...@torrentpharma.com amitapan...@torrentpharma.com wrote: From: amitapan...@torrentpharma.com amitapan...@torrentpharma.com Subject: Re: [Histonet] Re: Embedding Media To: Tim Higgins thigg...@cddmedical.com Cc: histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu, histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu Date: Monday, July 11, 2011, 2:07 AM I continuation of same discussion , i would like to have clarification for our lab..we use beaded paraffin Leica Paraplast both for processing and embedding . Do you advice us to use different paraffin for both steps? Paula, Please share if you get any feed back on Richard Allan product. Amita From: Tim Higgins thigg...@cddmedical.com To: histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu Date: 07/08/2011 11:34 PM Subject: [Histonet] Re: Embedding Media Sent by: histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu Hi Paula, Obviously there are no compression free paraffin's on the market. Look for a paraffin with a higher polymer content, this makes the paraffin firmer and less likely to compress. Other factor for into section compression but paraffin is a good place to start. The higher polymer paraffin's are not as suited for processing, it is more for the embedding portion of the process. Use a paraffin with lower polymers content in the processor and higher for embedding and you will like the results. Tim Date: Fri, 8 Jul 2011 09:44:51 -0700 From: Paula Lucas plu...@biopath.org Subject: [Histonet] Embedding Media To: histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu Message-ID: 9251EDA88CA748D6861A0C3BB0E32FCB@biopath.local Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Hello, We are considering a switch to a different brand of paraffin and this is because I feel we are having too many compressions in some of our tissue sections. Currently, we use Tissue Path Paraplast, regular. I would like to get feedback from you as to what you prefer. Looking on line, Richard Allan has a product called Signature Series Paraffin that comes in a type L that offers compression-free sections and I was also hoping to get any feedback on that product. I would greatly appreciate any suggestions and thoughts. Thanks in advance, Paula ___ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet ___ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet ___ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet
Fw: [Histonet] Re: Embedding Media
Last comment on the paraffin conversion for me. You can use bees wax if you want in your processor and embedder that doesn't mean you going to get the optimal results for every situation. Paraffin types are a personal preference for most people or labs. It's a little more hassle to keep two paraffins on hand instead of just one.. Low polymer paraffins penetrate better, faster, so and so forth and the higher polymer paraffins take a little longer but supports tissue better for sectioning. There are positives and negatives for both. Using one paraffin type is fine, all personal preference. We could go on forever with this!! I am not endorsing any paraffin on here, used many different paraffins and each work as anticipated. Thanks, Tim Sent: Monday, July 11, 2011 5:44 AM Subject: Re: [Histonet] Re: Embedding Media Amita, The paraffin that we use is also a Leica product. It was formerly sold under the Surgipath label, but since to companies have merged together, it now sells under the Leica name. It is a beaded pellet paraffin and has a version suitable for infiltration and a version suitable for embedding. The box of the embedding paraffin suggests it can be utilized for *both* purposes, however we do not choose to use it that way. So yes, we use two different types of paraffin. Hope that helps! Michelle I continuation of same discussion , i would like to have clarification for our lab..we use beaded paraffin Leica Paraplast both for processing and embedding . Do you advice us to use different paraffin for both steps? Paula, Please share if you get any feed back on Richard Allan product. Amita Subject:[Histonet] Re: Embedding Media Sent by:histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu Hi Paula, Obviously there are no compression free paraffin's on the market. Look for a paraffin with a higher polymer content, this makes the paraffin firmer and less likely to compress. Other factor for into section compression but paraffin is a good place to start. The higher polymer paraffin's are not as suited for processing, it is more for the embedding portion of the process. Use a paraffin with lower polymers content in the processor and higher for embedding and you will like the results. Tim Subject: [Histonet] Embedding Media To: histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu Hello, We are considering a switch to a different brand of paraffin and this is because I feel we are having too many compressions in some of our tissue sections. Currently, we use Tissue Path Paraplast, regular. I would like to get feedback from you as to what you prefer. Looking on line, Richard Allan has a product called Signature Series Paraffin that comes in a type L that offers compression-free sections and I was also hoping to get any feedback on that product. I would greatly appreciate any suggestions and thoughts. Thanks in advance, Paula ___ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet
[Histonet] Re: Embedding Media
Hi Paula, Obviously there are no compression free paraffin's on the market. Look for a paraffin with a higher polymer content, this makes the paraffin firmer and less likely to compress. Other factor for into section compression but paraffin is a good place to start. The higher polymer paraffin's are not as suited for processing, it is more for the embedding portion of the process. Use a paraffin with lower polymers content in the processor and higher for embedding and you will like the results. Tim Date: Fri, 8 Jul 2011 09:44:51 -0700 From: Paula Lucas plu...@biopath.org Subject: [Histonet] Embedding Media To: histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu Message-ID: 9251EDA88CA748D6861A0C3BB0E32FCB@biopath.local Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Hello, We are considering a switch to a different brand of paraffin and this is because I feel we are having too many compressions in some of our tissue sections. Currently, we use Tissue Path Paraplast, regular. I would like to get feedback from you as to what you prefer. Looking on line, Richard Allan has a product called Signature Series Paraffin that comes in a type L that offers compression-free sections and I was also hoping to get any feedback on that product. I would greatly appreciate any suggestions and thoughts. Thanks in advance, Paula ___ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet
[Histonet] RE: embedding forceps
I like these: You can get them in different lengths.5 1/2 or 7 http://www.leica-microsystems.com/products/total-histology/consumables/autopsy-dissection/dissection/details/product/512-14cm-ergonomic-1/ Jeanine Bartlett, BS, HT(ASCP)QIHC Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Infectious Diseases Pathology Branch 1600 Clifton Road, MS/G-32 18/SB-114 Atlanta, GA 30333 (404) 639-3590 jeanine.bartl...@cdc.hhs.gov -Original Message- From: histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu [mailto:histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of Gale Limron Sent: Monday, April 11, 2011 8:25 AM To: histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu Subject: [Histonet] embedding forceps Good Morning! Can anyone recommend comfortable, not-heated, embedding forceps (with ordering info)? Our favorite that we had for years disappeared a while back and we haven't found a replacement that we really like yet. Thank you, Gale Gale Limron CT, HT (ASCP) Histology Supervisor Union Hospital 659 Boulevard Dover, Ohio 44622 330-343-3311 ext 2562 This e-mail is intended only for the person or entity to which it is addressed and may contain information that is privileged, confidential or otherwise protected from disclosure. Dissemination, distribution or copying of this e-mail or the information herein by anyone other than the intended recipient, or an employee or agent responsible for delivering the message to the intended recipient, is prohibited. If you received this message in error, please delete without copying and kindly e-mail a reply to inform us of the mistake in delivery. ___ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet ___ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet
[Histonet] RE: embedding forceps
These are the same ones we like. We like the 7 ones. Hazel Horn Hazel Horn, HT/HTL (ASCP) Supervisor of Autopsy/Histology/Transcription Arkansas Children's Hospital 1 Children's WaySlot 820 Little Rock, AR 72202 phone 501.364.4240 fax501.364.3155 visit us on the web at:www.archildrens.org -Original Message- From: histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu [mailto:histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of Bartlett, Jeanine (CDC/OID/NCEZID) Sent: Monday, April 11, 2011 7:32 AM To: Gale Limron; histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu Subject: [Histonet] RE: embedding forceps I like these: You can get them in different lengths.5 1/2 or 7 http://www.leica-microsystems.com/products/total-histology/consumables/autopsy-dissection/dissection/details/product/512-14cm-ergonomic-1/ Jeanine Bartlett, BS, HT(ASCP)QIHC Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Infectious Diseases Pathology Branch 1600 Clifton Road, MS/G-32 18/SB-114 Atlanta, GA 30333 (404) 639-3590 jeanine.bartl...@cdc.hhs.gov -Original Message- From: histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu [mailto:histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of Gale Limron Sent: Monday, April 11, 2011 8:25 AM To: histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu Subject: [Histonet] embedding forceps Good Morning! Can anyone recommend comfortable, not-heated, embedding forceps (with ordering info)? Our favorite that we had for years disappeared a while back and we haven't found a replacement that we really like yet. Thank you, Gale Gale Limron CT, HT (ASCP) Histology Supervisor Union Hospital 659 Boulevard Dover, Ohio 44622 330-343-3311 ext 2562 This e-mail is intended only for the person or entity to which it is addressed and may contain information that is privileged, confidential or otherwise protected from disclosure. Dissemination, distribution or copying of this e-mail or the information herein by anyone other than the intended recipient, or an employee or agent responsible for delivering the message to the intended recipient, is prohibited. If you received this message in error, please delete without copying and kindly e-mail a reply to inform us of the mistake in delivery. ___ 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 ** The information contained in this message may be privileged and confidential and protected from disclosure. If the reader of this message is not the intended recipient, or an employee or agent responsible for delivering this message to the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any dissemination, distribution or copying of this communication is strictly prohibited. If you have received this communication in error, please notify us immediately by replying to the message and deleting it from your computer. Thank you. ___ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet
RE: [Histonet] RE: embedding forceps
We also use Mopec. They come in a few sizes, and our rep has worked with us to find something that I was having a hard time locating. http://www.mopec.com/category/947/ergonomic/ -Original Message- From: histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu [mailto:histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu]On Behalf Of Horn, Hazel V Sent: Monday, April 11, 2011 11:06 AM To: 'Bartlett, Jeanine (CDC/OID/NCEZID)'; Gale Limron; histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu Subject: [Histonet] RE: embedding forceps These are the same ones we like. We like the 7 ones. Hazel Horn Hazel Horn, HT/HTL (ASCP) Supervisor of Autopsy/Histology/Transcription Arkansas Children's Hospital 1 Children's WaySlot 820 Little Rock, AR 72202 phone 501.364.4240 fax501.364.3155 visit us on the web at:www.archildrens.org -Original Message- From: histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu [mailto:histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of Bartlett, Jeanine (CDC/OID/NCEZID) Sent: Monday, April 11, 2011 7:32 AM To: Gale Limron; histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu Subject: [Histonet] RE: embedding forceps I like these: You can get them in different lengths.5 1/2 or 7 http://www.leica-microsystems.com/products/total-histology/consumables/autopsy-dissection/dissection/details/product/512-14cm-ergonomic-1/ Jeanine Bartlett, BS, HT(ASCP)QIHC Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Infectious Diseases Pathology Branch 1600 Clifton Road, MS/G-32 18/SB-114 Atlanta, GA 30333 (404) 639-3590 jeanine.bartl...@cdc.hhs.gov -Original Message- From: histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu [mailto:histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of Gale Limron Sent: Monday, April 11, 2011 8:25 AM To: histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu Subject: [Histonet] embedding forceps Good Morning! Can anyone recommend comfortable, not-heated, embedding forceps (with ordering info)? Our favorite that we had for years disappeared a while back and we haven't found a replacement that we really like yet. Thank you, Gale Gale Limron CT, HT (ASCP) Histology Supervisor Union Hospital 659 Boulevard Dover, Ohio 44622 330-343-3311 ext 2562 This e-mail is intended only for the person or entity to which it is addressed and may contain information that is privileged, confidential or otherwise protected from disclosure. Dissemination, distribution or copying of this e-mail or the information herein by anyone other than the intended recipient, or an employee or agent responsible for delivering the message to the intended recipient, is prohibited. If you received this message in error, please delete without copying and kindly e-mail a reply to inform us of the mistake in delivery. ___ 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 ** The information contained in this message may be privileged and confidential and protected from disclosure. If the reader of this message is not the intended recipient, or an employee or agent responsible for delivering this message to the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any dissemination, distribution or copying of this communication is strictly prohibited. If you have received this communication in error, please notify us immediately by replying to the message and deleting it from your computer. Thank you. ___ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE This message and any included attachments are from Somerset Medical Center and are intended only for the addressee. The information contained in this message is confidential and may contain privileged, confidential, proprietary and/or trade secret information entitled to protection 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
[Histonet] RE: embedding forceps
There is also a company that makes great embedding presses called Histopress. I use them and love them! Check Histopress.com ___ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet
RE: [Histonet] RE: embedding beads/tissue marking dyes
TBS has good dyes...you can mordant them (what Bouins does) in fo
rmalin-aceto-alcohol. This is less toxic then Bouins and works
well.= nbsp; Of course if you are doing anything with breast tissue,
you don't wan= t to leave it in there but a second or two because it
is not known if it ef= fects ER/PR results.
Happy Fixing!!
PS-W= e called F-A-A juicy juice because that's what it smells like
=)
Sarah = Goebel, B.A., HT (ASCP)
Histotechnician
= div
XBiot= ech USA Inc.
8201 East Riverside Dr. Bldg 4 Suite 100
Austin, Texas 78744
[DEL: (512)386-5107
:DEL]
Original Message
Subject: [Histonet] RE: embedding beads/tissue marking dyes
From: Maria Katleba [1]Maria.Ka= tl...@stjoe.org
Date: Tue, October 05, 2010 2:40 pm
To: Jacqueline Farnsworth [2]jacqueline.farnswo...@cls.ab.ca,
[3]histo...@lists.utsout= hwestern.edu [4]
Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
When you place dye on any tissue, make sure you pipette some bouins on
to t= he tissue... Apparently the bouins sets the stain...
afterwards dab the t= issue with paper towel to sop up the excess
dye/bouins.
Some dyes are better than others, but try the bouins first
Call me or email me directly, I can help you with details :)
Maria Katleba MS HT(ASCP)
Pathology Dept. Mgr
Queen of the Valley Medical Center
1000 Trancas Street
Napa CA 94558
(707) 252-4411 x3689 direct
(707) 226-4385 pager
(707) 294-9229 cell- anytime
-Original Message-
From: [5]histonet= -boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
[[6]mailto:histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of
Jacqueline Farnsworth
Sent: Tuesday, October 05, 2010 2:14 PM
To: [7]histo...@lists.uts= outhwestern.edu
Subject: [Histonet] embedding beads/tissue marking dyes
Hi
We may be encountering some issues with our tissue marking dyes
'clogging' = up our processors. Ive heard of a system where a
coloured 'bead' is embed= ded right beside the tissue, and
subsequently cut onto the slide. This doe= s not mark the margins
obviously, but is used as a method to track like spe= cimens that are
grossed, embedded and subsequently cut in a row. (red, oran= ge,
green, blue.)
I explored the archives for embedding beads, but only found
reference to = a glass bead that is placed in the wax inside the
block, but not subsequent= ly cut.
PS: we are still troubleshooting our dyes (dilutions, brand, etc.),
but if = anyone has a brand of dye that they like and have no issues
with, I'd be th= rilled to get the information as well!
Thanks in advance,
Jacquie
Jacqueline Farnsworth
Anatomic Pathology, Tech III
Diagnostic Scientific Centre
Calgary Laboratory Services
Phone: 403-770-3588
Pager: 403-212-8223 X07630
P Please consider the environment before printing this email.
This message and any attached documents are only for the use of the
intende= d recipient(s), are confidential and may contain privileged
information. An= y unauthorized review, use, retransmission, or other
disclosure is strictly= prohibited. If you have received this message
in error, please notify the = sender immediately, and then delete the
original message. Thank you.
___
Histonet mailing list
[8]histo...@lists.utsouth= western.edu
[9]http:= //lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet
Notice from St. Joseph Health System:
Please note that the information contained in this message may be
privilege= d and confidential and protected from disclosure.
___
Histonet mailing list
[10]histo...@lists.utsouth= western.edu
[11]http:= //lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet
References
1. 3Dmailto:maria.katl...@stjoe.org;
2. 3Dmailto:jacqueline.farnswo...@cls.a 3.
3Dmailto:Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu;
4. 3Dmailto:Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu;
5. 3Dmailto:histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu;
6. 3Dmailto:histonet-boun...@l 7.
3Dmailto:Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu;
8. 3Dmailto:Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu;
9. 3Dhttp://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet;
10. 3Dmailto:Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu;
11. 3Dhttp://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet;
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http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet
[Histonet] RE: embedding beads/tissue marking dyes
When you place dye on any tissue, make sure you pipette some bouins on to the tissue... Apparently the bouins sets the stain... afterwards dab the tissue with paper towel to sop up the excess dye/bouins. Some dyes are better than others, but try the bouins first Call me or email me directly, I can help you with details :) Maria Katleba MS HT(ASCP) Pathology Dept. Mgr Queen of the Valley Medical Center 1000 Trancas Street Napa CA 94558 (707) 252-4411 x3689 direct (707) 226-4385 pager (707) 294-9229 cell- anytime -Original Message- From: histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu [mailto:histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of Jacqueline Farnsworth Sent: Tuesday, October 05, 2010 2:14 PM To: Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu Subject: [Histonet] embedding beads/tissue marking dyes Hi We may be encountering some issues with our tissue marking dyes 'clogging' up our processors. Ive heard of a system where a coloured 'bead' is embedded right beside the tissue, and subsequently cut onto the slide. This does not mark the margins obviously, but is used as a method to track like specimens that are grossed, embedded and subsequently cut in a row. (red, orange, green, blue.) I explored the archives for embedding beads, but only found reference to a glass bead that is placed in the wax inside the block, but not subsequently cut. PS: we are still troubleshooting our dyes (dilutions, brand, etc.), but if anyone has a brand of dye that they like and have no issues with, I'd be thrilled to get the information as well! Thanks in advance, Jacquie Jacqueline Farnsworth Anatomic Pathology, Tech III Diagnostic Scientific Centre Calgary Laboratory Services Phone: 403-770-3588 Pager: 403-212-8223 X07630 P Please consider the environment before printing this email. This message and any attached documents are only for the use of the intended recipient(s), are confidential and may contain privileged information. Any unauthorized review, use, retransmission, or other disclosure is strictly prohibited. If you have received this message in error, please notify the sender immediately, and then delete the original message. Thank you. ___ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet Notice from St. Joseph Health System: Please note that the information contained in this message may be privileged and confidential and protected from disclosure. ___ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet
[Histonet] RE: embedding center just did alot of research!
Even over Tissue Tec -Original Message- From: histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu [mailto:histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of Madary, Joseph Sent: Thursday, September 02, 2010 12:32 PM To: histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu Subject: [Histonet] embedding center just did alot of research! I did a lot of research on embedding centers and made the mistake of going with the least expensive new one. If you want to know what I bought email me separately. The prices are in the stratosphere but I have to say Leica still has the edge for this 30 plus year tech. Nick Madary, HT/HTL(ASCP)QIHC Histology Mgr, Medimmune 301.398.6360(lab), 4745(vm),9745(fax) To the extent this electronic communication or any of its attachments contain information that is not in the public domain, such information is considered by MedImmune to be confidential and proprietary, and expected to be used only by the individual(s) for whom it is intended. If you have received this electronic communication in error, please reply to the sender advising of the error in transmission and delete the original message and any accompanying documents from your system immediately, without copying, reviewing or otherwise using them for any purpose. Thank you for your cooperation. To the extent this electronic communication or any of its attachments contain information that is not in the public domain, such information is considered by MedImmune to be confidential and proprietary. This communication is expected to be read and/or used only by the individual(s) for whom it is intended. If you have received this electronic communication in error, please reply to the sender advising of the error in transmission and delete the original message and any accompanying documents from your system immediately, without copying, reviewing or otherwise using them for any purpose. Thank you for your cooperation. ___ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet -- CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: The information in this e-mail may be confidential and/or privileged. If you are not the intended recipient or an authorized representative of the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any review, dissemination, or copying of this e-mail and its attachments, if any, or the information contained herein is prohibited. If you have received this e-mail in error, please immediately notify the sender by return e-mail and delete this e-mail from your computer system. Thank you. == ___ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet
[Histonet] RE: embedding center just did alot of research!
I would agree with Nicks statement on this. I love Leica and they are probably even less expensive than say Sakura. My two cents Stacey People are not an interruption of our business. People are our business. Stacey Langenberg HT (ASCP) QIHC Laboratory Manager Histology/IF CU Dermatopathology Consultants 1999 N. Fitzsimons Pkwy Suite 120 Aurora, CO 80045 Lab-720-859-3559 Fax- 303-344-0789 Cell-970-405-7742 From: histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu [histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of Nails, Felton [flna...@texaschildrens.org] Sent: Thursday, September 02, 2010 11:38 AM To: 'Madary, Joseph'; histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu Subject: [Histonet] RE: embedding center just did alot of research! Even over Tissue Tec -Original Message- From: histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu [mailto:histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of Madary, Joseph Sent: Thursday, September 02, 2010 12:32 PM To: histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu Subject: [Histonet] embedding center just did alot of research! I did a lot of research on embedding centers and made the mistake of going with the least expensive new one. If you want to know what I bought email me separately. The prices are in the stratosphere but I have to say Leica still has the edge for this 30 plus year tech. Nick Madary, HT/HTL(ASCP)QIHC Histology Mgr, Medimmune 301.398.6360(lab), 4745(vm),9745(fax) To the extent this electronic communication or any of its attachments contain information that is not in the public domain, such information is considered by MedImmune to be confidential and proprietary, and expected to be used only by the individual(s) for whom it is intended. If you have received this electronic communication in error, please reply to the sender advising of the error in transmission and delete the original message and any accompanying documents from your system immediately, without copying, reviewing or otherwise using them for any purpose. Thank you for your cooperation. To the extent this electronic communication or any of its attachments contain information that is not in the public domain, such information is considered by MedImmune to be confidential and proprietary. This communication is expected to be read and/or used only by the individual(s) for whom it is intended. If you have received this electronic communication in error, please reply to the sender advising of the error in transmission and delete the original message and any accompanying documents from your system immediately, without copying, reviewing or otherwise using them for any purpose. Thank you for your cooperation. ___ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet -- CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: The information in this e-mail may be confidential and/or privileged. If you are not the intended recipient or an authorized representative of the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any review, dissemination, or copying of this e-mail and its attachments, if any, or the information contained herein is prohibited. If you have received this e-mail in error, please immediately notify the sender by return e-mail and delete this e-mail from your computer system. Thank you. == ___ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet ___ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet
[Histonet] Re: Embedding Issues
I am not sure if you are referring to bubble between the tissue and the bottom of the molds, or bubbles causing holes between the tissue and the cassette, causing the block to collapse. The previous would probably have something to do with the paraffin feeding into the block, perhaps there is a leak in the system causing air bubbles in the paraffin. As for the latter, we have experienced this with the cassettes that we use, and have found that 3-4 good hard taps on the top of the cassette after filling with paraffin has helped. Also, we do have to be sure that the initial fill of paraffin is just above the lip of the mold, so that when we set the cassette on top, there is a small amount of paraffin in the cassette already. These two steps have all but eliminated the air bubbles between the tissue and the cassette (blocks collapsing). Good luck and hope this helps, Shelly --- On Mon, 4/27/09, histonet-requ...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu histonet-requ...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu wrote: From: histonet-requ...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu histonet-requ...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu Subject: Histonet Digest, Vol 65, Issue 45 To: histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu Date: Monday, April 27, 2009, 1:57 PM Send Histonet mailing list submissions to histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet or, via email, send a message with subject or body 'help' to histonet-requ...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu You can reach the person managing the list at histonet-ow...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific than Re: Contents of Histonet digest... Today's Topics: 1. help (Dertien, Janet) 2. Re: help (Rene J Buesa) 3. RE Finding Iron in Decalcified Sections (Farish, Craig) 4. Doublecortin, Ki67, Caspase-3: need antigen retrieval ? (TF) 5. RE Megacassettes (Farish, Craig) 6. RE: Histonet Digest, Vol 65, Issue 44 (stella_q...@dnar.com) 7. AMMONIUM HYDROXIDE (Phyllis Thaxton) 8. RE: AMMONIUM HYDROXIDE (Sebree Linda A) 9. RE: AMMONIUM HYDROXIDE (Bartlett, Jeanine (CDC/CCID/NCZVED)) 10. AW: [Histonet] help (Gudrun Lang) 11. HT exam (MaryAnn Dixon) 12. Re: HT exam (Pamela Marcum) 13. Sensitivity and Specificity of Antibodies for IHC (Jessica Piche) 14. Re: HT exam (stephanie.d.riv...@gsk.com) 15. Embedding issues (Sharon.Davis-Devine) 16. breast tissue (Caleri, Kathleen) 17. RE: haemotol autostainer? (Edwards, R.E.) 18. Re: AMMONIUM HYDROXIDE (Rene J Buesa) ___ 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
