[Histonet] Paraffin blocks

Thu Jul 10 16:09:12 CDT 2014

Our facility handles paraffin shavings and blocks as Biological Waste which is different from Biohazardous waste.

-----Original Message-----
From: histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu [mailto:histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of WILLIAM DESALVO
Sent: Thursday, July 10, 2014 4:56 PM
To: Vincent Rivera; 'Cooper, Brian'; JOSEPH FRAZEE; histonet
Subject: RE: [Histonet] Paraffin blocks

I have been following this stream of conversation and thought I might jump in. Paraffin blocks and microtomy waste are NOT biohazard waste. The process of fixation and tissue processing makes the tissue acceptable for general waste disposal. You do have to address the issue of PHI on the blocks, if you are using bar  code information and especially if patient information is included in the bar code. All bar codes used in the lab can be read in any standard word or spreadsheet software. I do not see the need to pay for expensive removal of biohazard waste, use general waste disposal for your blocks and cutting waste.

William DeSalvo, BS HTL(ASCP)

> From: vrivera <@t> westderm.com
> To: bcooper <@t> chla.usc.edu; jfray80 <@t> hotmail.com; histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
> Date: Thu, 10 Jul 2014 20:37:39 +0000
> Subject: RE: [Histonet] Paraffin blocks
> CC: 
> 
> You would think, especially when you see the amount of waste a tech can produce on "high volume" days, but we also discard ours into regular trash too. Just curious how other facilities handle this type of waste.
> 
> Regards,
> 
> Vincent Rivera, HT (ASCP), QIHC, QLS
> Histopathology Supervisor
> West Dermatology Pathology Laboratory
> vrivera <@t> westderm.com
> 714-924-7240 (Lab)
> 714-390-0906 (Cell)
> 
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Cooper, Brian [mailto:bcooper <@t> chla.usc.edu] 
> Sent: Thursday, July 10, 2014 1:30 PM
> To: Vincent Rivera; JOSEPH FRAZEE; histonet server
> Subject: RE: [Histonet] Paraffin blocks
> 
> Good question.  So the linear path would dictate that they too should be discarded into red bags, right?   You could also pose the same question about the kimwipes used to skim your flotation baths.  We've always just thrown both the shavings and kimwipes into the regular trash though.    Guess we're not so linear . . . 
> 
> Thanks, 
> 
> Brian
> 
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Vincent Rivera [mailto:vrivera <@t> westderm.com]
> Sent: Thursday, July 10, 2014 1:12 PM
> To: Cooper, Brian; JOSEPH FRAZEE; histonet server
> Subject: RE: [Histonet] Paraffin blocks
> 
> I know this is slightly off topic but still along the same lines. How is everybody handling their paraffin shaving waste? The waste that is produced when trimming/facing tissue blocks? Is this also considered regulated medical waste?
> 
> Thanks,
> 
> Vincent Rivera, HT (ASCP), QIHC, QLS
> Histopathology Supervisor
> West Dermatology Pathology Laboratory
> vrivera <@t> westderm.com
> 714-924-7240 (Lab)
> 714-390-0906 (Cell)
> 
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu [mailto:histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of Cooper, Brian
> Sent: Thursday, July 10, 2014 12:23 PM
> To: JOSEPH FRAZEE; histonet server
> Subject: RE: [Histonet] Paraffin blocks
> 
> In every institution I've ever worked, paraffin tissue blocks were handled as regulated medical waste, and therefore discarded into red biohazard bags.
> 
> Brian D. Cooper, HT (ASCP)CM | Histology Supervisor Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Children's Hospital Los Angeles bcooper <@t> chla.usc.edu 
> 
> 
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu [mailto:histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of JOSEPH FRAZEE
> Sent: Thursday, July 10, 2014 12:13 PM
> To: histonet server
> Subject: [Histonet] Paraffin blocks
> 
> How is everyone disposing of paraffin blocks regular trash or biohazard containers
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