[Histonet] Recuts/deepers

[Bitting, Angela K.]

We track "shallow/incomplete" sections and have found numerous reasons. 
Inadequate fixation. 
The way a tissue is bisected can cause it to not lay flat in the embedding mold. For anstance a grossing tech who does a "wrist turn" kind of slicing motion and causes an arch shaped edge. 
Embedding pieces that are varying sizes. 
Too many pieces in a cassette. 
Some Histotechs are trained to err on the side of caution and do not like to cut too deep the first time. Their though being you can always come back  and recut it, but once it's cut away, it's gone. 

Our idea was that by tracking these we might find an opportunity for retraining an individual, but as it turns out, we all cut a shallow/incomplete section occasionally. 
Some steps we took -
  We had the grossing techs come and watch us embed derm cases. That gave them a perspective of why it's important for them to do things a certain way. 
 One of our Dermatopathologists came in and gave the HTs and in-service on what they are looking to see on a slide and what the inked margins mean. This helped with orienting specimens at embedding. 
 We have reduced our recut numbers by taking the time to identify the causes and offering additional training to the staff. Collecting the data is the first step, and though it's time-consuming, it is worth it in the end.
Best wishes.
 

-----Original Message-----
From: histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu [mailto:histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of Morken, Timothy
Sent: Monday, January 13, 2014 11:36 PM
To: Trini; histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
Subject: RE: [Histonet] Recuts/deepers

What are the reasons they ask for recuts? The answer to that will give you some ideas. For instance, did they not get a full face with margins the first time? Was the section not readable? Was the stain inadequate?

Tim Morken

-----Original Message-----
From: histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu [mailto:histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of Trini
Sent: Monday, January 13, 2014 4:28 PM
To: histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
Subject: [Histonet] Recuts/deepers

Hello histonetters! 

Could I please get some help/advice/ideas on how to reduce recut/deeper requests? What does your lab do to reduce that? Would you say embedding is partially the problem? Such as small tissue embedded with bigger tissue? Etc? 


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