[Histonet] Formalin in the Operating Room/Department

[Boyd, Debbie M]

Hi Laura,
The problem with pouring formalin in the OR is exposure to the fumes unless they have proper ventilation or a hood.  Formalin spills are also a large risk especially for  untrained staff.   Air quality and personnel are checked annually for exposure, which is a Joint Commission and CAP requirement.  We too are a CHS hospital but we changed that practice a long time ago. We have prefilled containers, 20 ml, and 120 ml.  We also have empty containers 480 ml, 2 liter. and 5 liter.  We fill the larger containers.  We keep a containers in   Histology of all sizes so OR attendants can pick them up as needed.  


Debbie M. Boyd HT (ASCP) | Chief Histologist  | Southside Regional Medical Center | 200 Medical Park Blvd.  |  Petersburg, Va.  23805 | PH 804-765-5025 | FAX 804-765-6058

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From: Jones, Laura [lpjones at srhs-pa.org]
Sent: Tuesday, May 12, 2015 2:47 PM
To: Histonet at lists.utsouthwestern.edu
Subject: [EXTERNAL] [Histonet] Formalin in the Operating Room/Department

Histonet Experts,

A little over a year ago, our hospital was bought by CHS.  There have been many changes, but after visits from corporate advisors, it was decided that no formalin could be poured in the O.R./ department.  Previously, they kept the large cubitainers of formalin in between the O.R. rooms in smaller utility rooms and accessed it from there.  Now, smaller specimens are places in prefilled formalin vials, and larger specimens are supposed to be brought to us immediately so that we can put formalin on them.  As you'd expect, we are finding specimens that have been sitting too long without fixative.  The O.R. staff has been told that in our absence, they are to come to the lab and take care of this.  Also, the hospital labor and delivery department cannot have formalin for specimens now.

My questions are these:

-  Does anyone else have this situation?  (Especially if you are a CHS hospital)  And if you do, how do you make it work?

-  How is it safer to have small (up to 400 ml) prefilled jars of formalin in the O.R. or a nearby utility room?

-  What do you all think about the costs involved?  Prefilled jars are not inexpensive.

Maybe after 27 years I'm too resistant to change, but I see the potential for big problems.  We have to do as we are instructed, but I'm interested in your expert opinions.  Thanks in advance.



Laura Jones B.A., HT, PBT (ASCP) | Lead Tech, Histology | Community Health Systems
740 East State Street | Sharon PA | Phone (724)983-3950 | Fax (724)983-3982
www.sharonregional.com<http://www.sharonregional.com/> | lpjones at srhs-pa.org<mailto:lpjones at srhs-pa.org>


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