[Histonet] as Thanksgiving approaches, what do you think about a gall bladder in vinegar ?

[Della Speranza, Vinnie]

I'm overwhelmed at the huge response. Thank you all.
The patient was instructed to make arrangements with a funeral home. The patient is 29 yrs old and since the funeral home might be taking on the responsibility of storing for several decades, she's been unsuccessful in identifying one willing to assist her.

I don't have any way to know what the mom's appendix is in. it's quite possible she obtained it before the regs on formaldehyde became so restrictive (mid- '80's I believe).

The vinegar was thought to be a solution that would not grow organisms. The gall bladder has been cut down and now consists of a few very thin strips so I was concerned that allowing the tissue to air dry may appear (to the patient) that the specimen had been compromised.

Have a great holiday everyone, and thank you again.

Vinnie Della Speranza
Manager for Anatomic Pathology Services
Medical University of South Carolina
165 Ashley Avenue  Suite 309
Charleston, South Carolina 29425
Tel: (843) 792-6353
Fax: (843) 792-8974
 

-----Original Message-----
From: Weber, Susan (VHACLE) [mailto:Susan.Weber2 <@t> va.gov] 
Sent: Tuesday, November 25, 2008 9:07 AM
To: Della Speranza, Vinnie; histonet
Subject: RE: [Histonet] as Thanksgiving approaches, what do you think about a gall bladder in vinegar ?

Does she already have a funeral home picked out? Perhaps she can ask the
funeral home to "store" it for her, and then release it only to a
funeral home. I would consult my legal department to see what they feel
is appropriate, that way you are dotting all your t's and crossing your
eyes >.< as well!

Susan M Weber HT(ASCP)
Histology Supervisor
Louis Stokes Cleveland VA Medical Center
10701 East Blvd
Cleveland, Ohio 44106
(216) 791-3800 X6154
-----Original Message-----
From: histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
[mailto:histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of Della
Speranza, Vinnie
Sent: Monday, November 24, 2008 5:37 PM
To: histonet
Subject: [Histonet] as Thanksgiving approaches, what do you think about
a gall bladder in vinegar ?

I have a patient requesting her gall bladder be returned to her for
religious reasons.
The premise I've been given is so that, upon death, the patient may be
stored with her body parts.

My facility has concerns about providing it to her in formalin (for
obvious reasons) or alcohol. The patient admits this is a family
practice with momma's appendix already being stored in the attic.

It can get a bit toasty warm here in the South so attic storage of a
specimen in alcohol may not be prudent and I can't be absolutely certain
it wouldn't burn the house down, another potential liability for my
institution.

I'm tempted to give it to her in food grade vinegar, to avoid the
potential liabilities from using anything that could be considered
hazardous.
Assuming that returning her gall bladder is a given, what do you think
of using vinegar for this purpose?



Vinnie Della Speranza

Manager for Anatomic Pathology Services

Medical University of South Carolina

165 Ashley Avenue  Suite 309

Charleston, South Carolina 29425

Tel: (843) 792-6353

Fax: (843) 792-8974

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