[Histonet] Floater Problem

[Patrick Laurie]

We had a similar project.  I found that in my organization, floaters have 3
main sources and 1 or 2 occasional sources.  1.  Embedding forceps/forceps
warming wells, 2.  Grossing instruments and cutting boards and 3.  Dirty
waterbaths.  It is the first two that really cause problems, these are at
the same level as the tissue you are looking at, dirty waterbath floaters
can be discounted by recutting the block.  We have a system that records
when blocks are grossed, cut and embedded so we can usually tell which case
was the source of the floater.  I also got forceps without teeth for the
embedding station, and one of those microbiology inoculation loop
sterilizers. Our level of floaters has significantly decreased.

Good luck.

On Fri, Sep 9, 2011 at 10:16 AM, Jennifer MacDonald <JMacDonald <@t> mtsac.edu>wrote:

> Are the floaters present in the paraffin block or just on the slides?
>
>
>
>
> "Laurie Colbert" <laurie.colbert <@t> huntingtonhospital.com>
> Sent by: histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
> 09/09/2011 08:42 AM
>
> To
> <histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu>
> cc
> Debra Cobb <Debra.Cobb <@t> dako.com>
> Subject
> [Histonet] Floater Problem
>
>
>
>
>
>
> I am starting a PI project concerning floaters on slides.  I am
> collecting data and determining whether the floater is in the block or
> on the slide.  If the floater is in the block, it either came from the
> grossing step or the embedding step.  Of course, both the PA and the
> embedders swear that they clean their forceps and their work surfaces
> diligently.  My problem is in determining where the floater actually
> came from.  Any suggestions??
>
>
>
> Thanks,
>
> Laurie Colbert
>
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-- 
Patrick Laurie HT(ASCP)QIHC
CellNetix Pathology & Laboratories
1124 Columbia Street, Suite 200
Seattle, WA 98104
plaurie <@t> cellnetix.com