[Histonet] HER2 and the 48 hour rule

[Douglas D Deltour]

Dan,

If you dissect the HER2 guideline it will state that "Fixation times for
needle biopsies have not been addressed". Will they be addressed? Why aren't
they addressed? Why put out this half completed guideline? 
 
Also it states "Breast specimens, after appropriate gross inspection and
designation of margins, should be promptly sliced at 5- to 10-mm intervals
and fixed in formalin (unsliced samples should not be fixed)". 
So what I take from this is that the breast specimens should be received
fresh and the cassettes should be placed in formalin. The six hour minimum
will start at this time. As for the "unsliced samples should not be fixed",
well that is another question that will need to be addressed by CAP before
this guideline is due to be in place on 31 Dec 2007.

 
Douglas D. Deltour HT(ASCP)
Histology Supervisor
Professional Pathology Services, PC
One Science Court
Suite 200
Columbia, SC 29203
(803)252-1913
Fax (803)254-3262
 
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-----Original Message-----
From: histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
[mailto:histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of Peterson,
Dan
Sent: Tuesday, January 23, 2007 11:51 AM
To: histonet <@t> pathology.swmed.edu
Subject: [Histonet] HER2 and the 48 hour rule

Hello Histonetters!
Maybe this has been discussed before, and if it has, I apologize in
advance, but I need a little input. Now that the CAP has mandated a 6
-48 hour window of fixation time for specimens that may have Her-2 neu
performed, what are you doing about weekend specimens? We JUST (after
25+ years) got rid of the need for techs to come in on Saturdays, and
would like to be able to continue this trend. However if a breast bx is
done at an outside account on a Thursday afternoon, and does not get
grossed by our staff until Friday, right now a our processors are set to
start up Sunday afternoon for Monday morning (Kind of over 48 hrs). So
here are my questions:
Do you set up the processor to sit in 70% OH after the formalin fix? Do
you let it sit in the paraffin from Saturday until Monday? (Is heat too
prolonged?)
Or do I have to break the news to staff that if their name is up, and a
breast bx comes in, they're coming in Saturday am?
We do not have a microwave processor (yet), but soon.
Any and all responses will be greatly appreciated!

Daniel R Peterson HT(ASCP)
Histopathology Section Head
Meriter Laboratories
(608)-267-6557
1dpeterson <@t> meriter.com

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