[Histonet] RE: Cutting, Processing, etc

Fri Sep 17 16:08:56 CDT 2010

Hi James,

I would take it a step farther with the continuing ed.  I think it's beyond the supervisors it gets up into lab administration (clinical lab world).  I personally know of a group of great folks that work hard and run a quality service.  In the last 3 years they've had a major drop off in their continuing ed.  And it, of course, is tied to the budget.

Unfortunately, in this case (my view) those making the money decisions are missing the value.  It seems they're unwilling to make the investment.  I fear that in 5 years or less (if it continues) this service will suffer.  I suspect there are other folks out there in the same boat.  My hat is off to everyone out there working hard in our field and to the "enlightened" administrators and physicians that advocate continuing ed.

Have a great weekend.
Tom Jasper

Thomas Jasper HT (ASCP) BAS
Histology Supervisor
Central Oregon Regional Pathology Services
Bend, Oregon 97701
541/693-2677
tjasper <@t> copc.net

-----Original Message-----
From: histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu [mailto:histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of james leroux
Sent: Friday, September 17, 2010 10:55 AM
To: 'Nails, Felton'; histotech <@t> imagesbyhopper.com; 'mohamed abd el razik'; Histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
Subject: RE: [Histonet] RE: Cutting, Processing, etc

Felton,

  I would have to disagree with your assessment of the emails.  Our field is very strong and is not in decline.  Unfortunately, some "supervisors" around the country are relying on archaic methods and do not want to see or welcome change within the histo lab. We call ourselves professionals and yet not all of us are required to do continuing education?  I read emails everyday and laugh at some of the bloviating that goes on inside this forum.  I am glad the questions are asked, but I am also amazed at some of the responses that are shared with everyone.  I choose to respond one on one with the person asking the question.  Basic histology deals with didactics and this particular inquiry dealt more with OJT.  There are many ways to get the same job done; are there more efficient ways?  Probably, but this does not mean we all do our job the same way.  I am not concerned about the future of Histotechnology. I embrace the opportunity to teach the young technicians about a field that sees a change almost daily.  I am not here to offend either, but rather to defend an occupation that is as fascinating as it is frustrating.

Respectfully,

James Leroux, AAS, BA, HTL
Histology Supervisor
Petroglyph Pathology
640 Quantum Rd. 
Rio Rancho, NM 87124
(505) 924-0219

-----Original Message-----
From: histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
[mailto:histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of Nails, Felton
Sent: Friday, September 17, 2010 11:03 AM
To: 'histotech <@t> imagesbyhopper.com'; 'mohamed abd el razik'; Histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
Subject: RE: [Histonet] RE: Cutting, Processing, etc

As I look through and monitor questions, it is apparent that our field is declining. These are very basic questions not about special stains or IHC stains but basic histology that should have been taught in histology 101. My fear is that as we get older and leave the field, who and what will be left to carry the torch. Those of you who ask, don't take offense to my thoughts but take action and pick up a book and read. You will improve yourself and the field.
Just my thoughts, if I offended you it was not my intent. 

-----Original Message-----
From: histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
[mailto:histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of histotech <@t> imagesbyhopper.com
Sent: Friday, September 17, 2010 11:42 AM
To: 'mohamed abd el razik'; Histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
Subject: RE: [Histonet] RE: Cutting, Processing, etc

My first reaction to the "what is happening to our field", was WOW.  It seemed unkind to me, as if they original poster should not have asked these questions.  With further reading of the replies to this post, I am not so sure it was an unkind response, but one of potential shock and dismay to the idea that labs  might not be producing the quality work that most of us employ on a daily basis.

Amy, in answer to your questions, I will echo some of the sentiments that I have read here.

1. Facing of blocks.  We use one blade to face blocks and another, new blade when we do our actual sectioning.  In my case, I face as many as I can, knowing I am going to toss that knife when I am done facing.

2.  Soaking of blocks.  After facing my blocks, I will put them on a cold, damp, ice cube tray.  This will achieve two purposes for me, a) to chill the block and b) to introduce moisture into the faced tissue.  If I get a block that is particularly dry or hard (some calcified tissues for example), I will face them, put them face down on my waterbath and allow the hot water to penetrate into the tissue for 15-45 seconds, depending on the block.
After cooling on the ice tray, they usually "cut like butter" for me.
Typically, my blocks are not on the ice cubes for more than 15 minutes.  As I cut some, I will rotate the blocks around the ice tray, adding more "warm"
blocks for cooling.

3.  Freeze spray.  I hardly ever use the freeze spray.  About the only time I find that I need it is if I have a particularly fatty tissue and it doesn't want to section.

4.  Tissue processor changes.  This is definitely something that is "site specific". In our case, we do base it on volumes.  If we have a small volume of our "little" biopsies, we might not change the machine weekly, but every two weeks.  Generally our large specimen machine is changed weekly.

Your mileage may vary!  :o)

Michelle

-----Original Message-----
From: histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
[mailto:histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of mohamed abd el razik
Sent: Friday, September 17, 2010 5:38 AM
To: Histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
Subject: Re: [Histonet] RE: Cutting, Processing, etc

i think that histonet is a primary educational group for all levels and any expert in our feild have asked these quistions one day befor and we should ask freely without any shame . i'm as begainner have learned alot from these little quistions. and i asked befor for name of antibodies and its use to be written to clear the information for all levels and no shame for that.

--- On Thu, 9/16/10, Nails, Felton <flnails <@t> texaschildrens.org> wrote:

From: Nails, Felton <flnails <@t> texaschildrens.org>
Subject: [Histonet] RE: Cutting, Processing, etc
To: "Histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu" <Histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu>
Date: Thursday, September 16, 2010, 6:06 PM

what is happening to our field??????????????

-----Original Message-----
From: histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
[mailto:histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of Senn, Amy R
Sent: Thursday, September 16, 2010 10:38 AM
To: Histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
Subject: [Histonet] Cutting, Processing, etc

Hello Histoland!

I have some questions about procedures in different histo labs and I'd like to have some 'backup' when people look at me like I'm crazy here...

After embedding, you face (trim) your blocks, right? Do you take sections right from that same blade, or move/change your blade?

How many of you 'soak' your blocks in water/softblock before cutting them?
Do you put them on a cold plate/use ice and water, etc? Does this depend on the type of tissue, or do you treat them all the same?

How often is "freezy" spray used in your lab, and where and when do you use it?

How often do you rotate/change your reagents in your processors? Do you calculate this by how many blocks/days/weeks of use?

Thank you so much for your input!!

Amy Senn, HT

Holy Spirit Hospital, Camp Hill PA

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