[Histonet] processing cross contaminations

[Terri Braud]

Hi Jeanine - 
I can't remember the last time that I had any cross contamination in the tissue processor.  If the tissue is properly grossed without contamination, secured within a cassette (we use blue pads for tiny hard tissue; lens paper for fragile biopsies, such as liver; and nylon mesh bags for fragmented specimens) then there should be no cross contamination within the processor.  Possible block contamination sites are at gross, and at embedding (we only open one cassette at a time, and wipe forceps with gauze in between cassettes).  Slides can be contaminated with "floaters" from the waterbath during cutting, but a CAP study about 10 years ago found that most cross contamination occurs during grossing.
We actively monitor for contamination and have not had any in 15+ years.
I hope this information helps.  Terri

Terri L. Braud, HT(ASCP)
Anatomic Pathology Supervisor
Laboratory
Holy Redeemer Hospital
1648 Huntingdon Pike
Meadowbrook, PA 19046
ph: 215-938-3689
fax: 215-938-3874
Today's Topics:
   5. processing cross-contamination (Sanders, Jeanine (CDC/OID/NCEZID))

Message: 5
Date: Thu, 19 May 2016 10:39:35 +0000
From: "Sanders, Jeanine (CDC/OID/NCEZID)" <jqb7 at cdc.gov>
Subject: [Histonet] processing cross-contamination
Morning everyone,
I would like to know how many labs experience issues where tissue from a typical, sealed cassette is lost in the processor and ends up inside another cassette.
Really.
Thanks,
Jeanine Sanders
CDC Atlanta