[Histonet] positive charged slides

[Orr, Rebecca]

I've been vacillating about sharing my observations on this topic,
mainly because I don't have a good answer for solving  the problems that everyone is describing. I have had similar experiences.

I have a validated slide that for me is the lesser of all evils.
The slides that work the best for me, BUT STILL GIVE ME FITS are the super frost EXTENDED plus slides.  Fisher number 22-034-979.  These slides have an extended painted area.
This allows for automated stainer labels to fit completely on the paint.  I have found with the standard paint, that the labels extend over onto the glass and they just don't stick as well. These semi detached labels might or might not be factoring into the staining issues. So I rule that out.
Also, I monitor the lot numbers.  I have learned that these lot numbers can give the exact date of manufacture.  The first numbers are the month, then day, then year.
My boxes of slides  also  have the month and year of manufacture stamped right on the box..

My main problem with testing slides is that we go through lot numbers so quickly.  If I order hordes of the same lot number, then are the slides that I open today as "fresh" as the slides I opened two months ago?  I hate to have this attitude, but, then what's next, validating Kleenex we use, too?  Do clinical labs have to validate every lot number of test tubes they use?

The experts that manufacture these slides claim a specific expiration date. What criteria are they using to determine this date?  Does the substance or charge on the slide deteriorate over a period of time, or all of a sudden on the expire date they just stop working? Ugh.  I wonder if the scientists who put the chemistry onto these slides actually understand what the real world is going through.

I have also observed different problems.  Sometimes hydrophobic symptoms with patchy staining, sometimes tissue washing off for no explainable reason (ruled out poor processing).  I use two different platforms, one where I immerse slides into a heated HIER bath and then lay flat on a rack for staining, and the other where the slides are placed onto the stainer and all steps are completed on the instrument.  I can't pin point one thing these stainers could be doing that is contributing to the problem.  The common item is the glass slide.

Best I got!
Becky

Becky Orr CLA,HT(ASCP)QIHC
Technical Specialist
Anatomic Pathology
NorthShore University HealthSystem
847-570-2771

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