[Histonet] Cutting GI biopsies with multiple levels

[Weems, Joyce]

It takes a while to get experienced, but it doubles, sometimes triples
the time. 
Joyce 

-----Original Message-----
From: histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
[mailto:histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of Pat
Laurie
Sent: Wednesday, December 09, 2009 13:34
To: histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
Subject: [Histonet] Cutting GI biopsies with multiple levels

Histonet,

One of our pathologists is looking at a method for cutting GI biopsies
that differs in complexity from the way we currently do them.  Currently
we cut just 2 levels at 4 microns thick, 40 microns apart and only
showing 2 sections on each level.  In the new plan, if there were a
maximum of 5 small pieces per block, the idea is that we would cut 10
serial sections at 4 microns thickness, split the ribbons in half on the
waterbath, and then put
5 sections vertically on 1 side of the slide and the other 5 sections
vertically on the other side of the slide.  We would then face in 40
microns and repeat the process for a second slide for a total of 2
slides, 20 sections of tissue, 120 microns between the first and the
last section.
I am happy to do this if our pathologists believe that it would improve
their diagnosis.  Since we do about 400 biopsies like this a month, I
would like to look at our workload to see how to change our staffing
with this method.  I would like to get an idea of the difference in time
between the 2 methods.  Does anyone else do a similar method and would
be willing to share their experiences?  I am primarily interested in the
amount of time it would take an experienced tech to cut a biopsy like
this.  We have tried it out, but our techs are far from experienced with
this method.

Thanks for your time.

--
Patrick Laurie HT(ASCP)QIHC
Histology Supervisor
CellNetix Pathology & Laboratories
1124 Columbia Street, Suite 200
Seattle, WA 98104
plaurie <@t> cellnetix.com
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