[Histonet] Eosin Staining Issues

Hello All!   I am having some bizzare staining issues.  The eosin seems to be washing out??  The slides look sun bleached according to the Pathologists.  The problem is that it is only happening on occasion.   One rack stains fine and the next one has a problem.   It even appears to be  

[Histonet] OCT Code Cuts

What kind of impacts is everyone seeing post cpt cuts?  I am concerned for the future of our profession. Sent from Yahoo! Mail on Android ___ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu

[Histonet] Need AFB controls

Anyone out there have any spare AFB controls?  Thanks is advance :) ___ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet

[Histonet] Looking for Used cassette Printer

I am looking for a used VCP cassette printer from Leica/Surgipath.  My print head finally went out.  Thanks. ___ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet

[Histonet] Derm Slide Artifact

The Paths are noticing a halo efftect around the keratinocytes.  This is something new.  It appears to be happening during staining.  We haven't changed anything and we are making sure that all the reagents are fresh and full.  Thoughts?   Thanks, Kristen

[Histonet] Processor power supply Back-up

Does anyone have any suggestions on power supply back-up for Leica ASP 300?  We are an independant lab and are not hooked up to back-up if we have an outage.  Thought it might be a good idea :)   Thanks. ___ Histonet mailing list

[Histonet] DIF Transport Media

Is Michel Medium the same as Zeus?  Do these need to be refrigerated? Thanks. ___ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet

[Histonet] Looking for AFB control

Hello All, I am looking for an AFB control.  I am willing to trade if I can meet your needs.  Thanks. Kristen ___ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet

[Histonet] Reagent Grade Alcohol Brands

Hello All, What brands of reagent grade ETOH is everyone using??  Leica is having some manufacturing issues...need some ASAP!! ___ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet

[Histonet] Recycled Formalin

Has anyone had any quality issues (or any issues) when using recycled formalin?   Thanks. ___ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet

[Histonet] Special Stain Storage

Hello All, We were recently inspected by CLIA and our inspector noticed that we didn't have reagent storage temperatures written in our Special Stains procedures.  We do our stains by hand so we do have some stored in the refrigerator and others stored at room temp.  I went through some of the

[Histonet] Paraffin Question

How often are people changing/rotating their paraffin?  In other words the dirtiest paraffin is how many days old? ___ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet

[Histonet] Leica Paraplast

Has anyone who uses paraplast (we use the basic one) noticed a change in the quality of your tissue?  I have recently found out that they have changed manufacturing sites in the past couple of months.  I am having on and off issues with my skin specimens that have been going on for about 2

[Histonet] Dermpath Lab People

Hello, I am looking for a network of people who would be willing to share info on derm stuff.  I am currently the supervisor of a fairly large derm lab.  We've been open about 13 yrs and I've worked here about 12 yrs (Sup for about 1).  Things are going pretty well but when I run into problems

[Histonet] Contamination on Processor

We are experiencing cloudiness in all of our alcohols on our processor.  We test them before we dump them by mixing them with water and they cloud up.  To me this says there is some clear-rite/xylene (we use both on our processors) getting in them somehow.  I was wondering if anyone else has

[Histonet] Embedding Forceps

Anyone use special forceps for embedding?  I have some recent concerns that some of the forceps out there may be to pointy/sharp for delicate tissue (ie. skin).  Any insight?? ___ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu

[Histonet] Looking to sell xtra inventory

Hello Histonetters,   I have recently discovered that I have 11 extra boxes of microtome blades we do not use any more.  They are brand new (boxes are sealed) Surgipath low profile Triple Facet blades.  Any takers? ___ Histonet mailing list

[Histonet] Dako vs Ventana

Hello all, I am trying to get a feel for some of the special stainers out there.  I came to the conclusion that it will be either Dako or Ventana.  Opinions?  Any other machines on the market that people love?  Thanks. ___ Histonet mailing list

[Histonet] Leica Special Stainer

Has anyone used the Leica Special Stainer? ___ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet

[Histonet] Automated special stainers

Which automated Special Stainer does everyone like best?  Does any of them do a Fontana stain? Thanks ___ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet

[Histonet] reprocessing small pieces of tissue

Has anyone re-processed a small pc. of tissue before?  if so how, do you do it?   In general, how are you re-processing tissue? ___ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet

[Histonet] Injuries in the Lab

How are people dealing with injuries like cuts from the microtome blade or cuts at the grossing bench (fixed tissue only)?  We do not work in a hospital so we do not have employee health. ___ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu

[Histonet] lab spill clean-up

I am looking for quantities of various lab chemicals that are considered safe for lab personnel to clean up.  Are there set guidelines for when you should call for help? ___ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu

[Histonet] Anyone CLIA Certified?

We are a derm lab who is CLIA certified.  We are going through some admin changes and I have been reading through (and learning) clia, osha, chemical hygiene etc  manuals and noticing they all seem outdated.  I am a lab sup that is responsible for all this and not quite sure how to go about it

[Histonet] Errors in the lab

I was just wondering how others are tracking mistakes.  We have a form that the employees fill out when they catch and rersolve mistakes.  I feel this gives me the opportunity to recognize problem areas (or people).  I was approached by one of my staff who feels that this may take away from a

[Histonet] Uranyl Nitrate

I am looking for an alternate disposal method for my Uranyl Nitrate.  I was quoted at about $3000 from our haz. waste disposal company.  I would like to find a cheaper method.  I cannot ship it outside the US.  Would anyone be able to take it and add it to their waste?  I have about 500ml of a

[Histonet] More quality stuff

Hi- As most of you have gathered I am working on a large quality project.  I have made a lot of progress.  Currently, my focus is error prevention.  I have read up on tools such as six sigma and FMEA.  My question is how do you guys prevent errors?  I have learned that you cannot always count

[Histonet] Special stainers

What stainer is everyone liking the best? ___ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet

[Histonet] Uranyl Nitrate

Anyone still using Uranyl Nitrate.  We have some in our fridge from '97 and it's very expensive to get rid of.  Any suggestions? ___ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet

[Histonet] Error corrections

How are people typically correcting errors that occur.  For example, mislabeled slides and path slips.  We do a lot of hand writing in our lab and when we make a mistake people are usually whiting out or scribbling.  I'm feeling like we shouldn't be doing thisis there a standard like a line

[Histonet] QA Manual Question

Hi All...Again.  I guess I have a lot of questions lately.  I have asked this before but I would like to ask it again.  What are people doing for QA/QC?  I have been asked by management to write a QA manual.  I have some ideas but not really sure where to start.  Thanks in advance for any

[Histonet] Microtome Alignment

Does anyone know where I can an alignment device? ___ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet

[Histonet] IHC Stainers

Hello- I am looking for any comments (positive or negative) on IHC stainers.  Any info on DAKO, Ventana, Leica, and Biocare would be great.  Service, quality, ease of use, etc.  I have very little knowledge of any of these as I have not done IHC for many years.  Thanks for all your input!!

[Histonet] hematoxylin Question

Hello All, How long is hematoxylin (we use Richard-Allen Heme 2) good for after it is poured into a staining container?  The stain gets used so infrequently I would like to keep it as long as I can.  We currently dump it weekly regardless of use.  Thank you.   -Kristen

[Histonet] (no subject)

Does anyone have an opinion on Distilled vs DI water?  Is there a difference in quality? ___ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet

[Histonet] Quality assurance program

I would like to do something different (more) than what we are doing right now with qa/qc.  We write everything down that we do so we can track it and then when there are mistakes I will talk to the person who makes them.  What are people doing in their labs to stop these mistakes in the first

[Histonet] Sectioning on different microtomes

How are people lining up the microtomes so they cut in approximately the plane.  I use the old fashioned test paraffin block method but it just seems so time consuming and it doesn't always yield the best results especially if you are having techs line up there own.  Our paths have complained

[Histonet] (no subject)

Hello all,   I am looking for info on IP stainers.  Which stainers are people using?  What does everyone like, dislike, etc.  Any info is helpful.  Thanks!!   Kristen ___ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu

[Histonet] QA/QC

I am looking to update our QA/QC system...it's a mess.  Any suggestions on where I would gather info.  What are other people doing?? ___ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu