Fwd: RE: [Histonet] Ventana immunostainer

[Janice A Mahoney]

Hello,
I use Ventana benchmarks and the XT in my lab and have absolutely no problems.  We have beautiful reproducible staining with every antibody we have worked up. 
Paula is the person who is having trouble with some antibodies.
I think it is very important when bring up a new instrument or system that you eliminate any variables you can.  I'm sure Ventana will give you some references of happy customers.  Find out what a lab who has good consistent results uses as far a water, slides, fixation times, ptotocols etc. 
Most problems can be overcome from that point on with a little tweaking of diluents,  cell conditioning, etc.
Eliminating the variables on your controls is also important.  
Once you get antibodies up and running I think you will be very happy with Ventana's quality and reproducibility.  
Have your rep check the instrument for any instrument problems like pads not heating properly.
Good Luck
Jan Mahoney
Omaha


>>> "Janice A Mahoney" <jmahoney <@t> alegent.org> 10/19/2005 9:32 AM >>>


>>> "Cazares, Ruth" <RCazares <@t> schosp.org> 10/19/2005 9:30 AM >>>
Janice,

I had a similar problem when we first got our Ventana instrument. What
it turned out to be the slides. We ordered from a cheaper source and got
spotty staining.  We switched to the Fisher (+) slides and have not had
a problem for the last 8 months.

Good Luck!

Ruth Cazares
Swedish Covenant Hospital
Chicago, IL


-----Original Message-----
From: histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu 
[mailto:histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of Janice A
Mahoney
Sent: Tuesday, October 18, 2005 8:17 PM
To: histo20 <@t> hotmail.com; histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu 
Subject: Re: [Histonet] Ventana immunostainer

What kind of water are you using to make your solutions?
Jan
Omaha

>>> "Paula Wilder" <histo20 <@t> hotmail.com> 10/18/2005 6:12 PM >>>
Our institution is trying the new Ventana immunostainer.  We have had
the 
unit since July and everything was staining nicely.  Then we started to
get 
variable staining, especially with CK20, ER and PR, ki67.  Ventana reps
have 
been working diligently to get this problem resolved.  We are using 
pre-dilutes and the staining seems to be fine the first time, then 
increasingly variable.  The reps took our controls to another area
hospital 
and tested them there and the staining was fine; hence, the problem is
with 
our machine.  I know they will replace this instrument if it continues
to 
fail, but I was wondering if anyone out there has similar problems.
Thanks 
for any help!

Paula Wilder
St. Joseph Medical Center
7601 Osler Drive
Towson, MD 21204
410-337-1741



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