[Histonet] Re: squamous cell contamination on slides

[gayle callis]

After following this thread on a topic that has always been a pet peeve and
a problem at times, a few suggestions. This is a problem discussed many
times on Histonet. 

 

If people are using the water bath as a "finger bowl", they need to learn to
not let fingers go "snorkeling" when picking up sections.  This is sloppy,
poor technique.  Anyone can learn to never touch the water surface with bare
skin. I have seen people immerse their fingers up to the first joint and
their stained sections were covered by a snowstorm of squamous cells.

 

Be aware that squamous cells are going to exfoliate from other than hands,
so not touching face and hair is good advice even if one wears gloves.

    

Hand lotion is helpful except for those slather on lotion or the lotion is
particularly heavy duty and then they still touch the water. This can cause
a double problem - an oil slick which is a terrible section adhesive along
with squamous cells from bare skin. 

 

Hold slide at top or on sides, as mentioned previously.

Wear gloves. Not always popular with a common argument one loses dexterity
handling slides.  If gloves do not flop around loosely but fit the hand
well, then dexterity is not lost.  

 

Good luck

 

Gayle Callis

HTL/HT/MT(ASCP) 

 

****************************************************************************
***************************************************

 

We have that problem mostly during the winter months when our hands get dry.
Use hand lotion, that usually helps a bit.

 

Thanks,

 

Michele Margiotta-Watz

Histology Supervisor

BMHMC

101 Hospital Rd.

Patchogue, NY 11772

631-654-7192

 

-----Original Message-----

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Subject: [Histonet] Squamous cells staining on H&E and IHC

 

 

Does anyone else have problems with what looks like squamous cells staining
on your H&E's and IHC's?  I'm trying to figure out how to eliminate that
problem in our lab...wear gloves while cutting?  Change out water bath
several times during shifts? Any suggestions?  Thanks!