[Histonet] MOLDS AND SLIDE DISPOSAL

[Kay, Karen]

Metal molds vs Disposable molds
We too have chosen metal molds.  We clean them by placing them in a
random processing basket and running an extended purge cycle with xylene
and alcohol. It has worked very well for us.
Slide disposal:
I believe the CAP guidelines from 2005 state that slides should be kept
for a minimum of 20 years. I don't know if this has been recently
revised.  Here in Alberta, Canada, the retention guidelines for slides
is 30 years.(College of Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta) We also
package into plastic pails to be picked up by a disposal company.  They
are never put into a regular dumpster as there is definite danger of
slide breakage and potential injury to anyone who comes in contact with
them. I realize that this is an added expense however, with a longer
retention time, the slides are not discarded as often.
Karen J Kay, MLT
Pathology Supervisor
Chinook Health Laboratory - Chinook Regional Hospital
960 - 19 st South,Lethbridge, Alberta,CANADA
(403) 388 - 6061 (Phone) 


Original Message-----
From: histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
[mailto:histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of Sharon
Campbell
Sent: Wednesday, March 11, 2009 3:57 AM
To: histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
Subject: [Histonet] slide disposal


Hi everyone!

Thank you for all the great responses to my last question about metal
vs. plastic molds. I have another question being debated however, How to
dispose of slides once the required time is up (10 years for us). We
have put the slide in sharps containers and then into biohazard, but are
they really bioharzard, the slides only contain the patients accession
number - no personal ID on the slides? How do you guys dispose of your
slides when space and money are an issue?

Thank you

 

Sharon Campbell, HTL(ASCP)CM, BSBM

Histology Supervisor

Celligent Diagnostics, LLC

Formerly Pathology Associates Services

101 East W.T. Harris Blvd, Suite 1212

Charlotte, NC  28262

800-524-6779 ext. 104

704-970-3304 Direct Line

sharonc <@t> celligent.net



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