[Histonet] In Defense of Tape

[Terri Braud]

I've been using Tape coverslipping for over 20 years.  I've seen the problems with the tape lifting the section off of the slide, HOWEVER, there is a specific technical solution to keep this from occurring. Lifting occurs because of inadequate dehydration before Xylene clearing to coverslip.  Xylene is very forgiving of minute amounts of water carried over that might be microscopically undetectable, but Tape is not.  Any minute amount of water carried into the xylene before tape coverslipping will cause lifting.
I have 20 y/o slides coverslipped with tape with no issues.  I have heard that tape covered slides can't be scanned, but I've not confirmed this with a reliable source.

Terri L. Braud, HT(ASCP)
Anatomic Pathology Supervisor
Holy Redeemer Hospital Laboratory
1648 Huntingdon Pike
Meadowbrook, PA 19046