[Histonet] Teabags

[Contact HistoCare]

I agree that putting tiny specimen *on* the teabag and not *in* it saves the embedded valuable time. For those that are budget conscious AND short on TAT, how well would *recycling*  microcassettes work? Could they be successfully put back in the processing rack and cleaned during a normal rack cleaning? Wouldn't that be more cost-conscious than throwing away teabags since you can reuse those. 

Bear in mind, my questions are meant only to provoke a rethinking of some processes and consider not only convenience during grossing but also during embedding.

On Aug 6, 2012, at 8:18 AM, Jennifer Campbell <campbellj <@t> muhlbauerlab.com> wrote:

> We use actual teabags that we purchase in bulk. We filter the contents of our specimen bottles but instead of filtering into the teabag we make a cone-shape and filter onto the teabag and then neatly fold it to fit in a cassette. We are a derm lab so some of the shave biopsies we receive are curled. Once the pieces are cut at grossing we place them on a wet teabag and again neatly fold the teabag and place it in cassette.
> 
> At embedding we open them on the warm area of the embedding center and don't have issues. 
> 
> The key for us is we put everything on the teabag not in it.
> 
> Hope this helps!
> 
> Jen Campbell
> 
> On Fri, Aug 3, 2012 at 1:39 PM, Contact HistoCare <contact <@t> histocare.com> wrote:
> Hi all,
> 
> Just a curiosity of mine, having contracted for many places I've seen many different processes, some efficient and some inefficient. I find a lot of labs do what they've always done just because they've always done something a certain way for so long whether it's useful or not and generally are not interested in change.
> 
> One of these things I'm referring to is using teabags. I know some of you LOVE them, but there are few things I loathe more than trying to dig out a tiny biopsy sample from a teabag along with trying to open it while being stuck together by the wax.
> 
> Why in the world would anyone ever use teabags when there are microcassettes and even biopsy cassettes?
> 
> Please let me hear it.
> 
> 
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> -- 
> Jen Campbell, HT(ASCP)
> Supervisor of Technical Services
> Muhlbauer Dermatopathology Laboratory
> 61 Monroe Avenue, Ste B
> Pittsford NY 14534
> P: 585.586.5166
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