[Histonet] Slide and Block Storage

[Rene J Buesa]

 We used to keep our blocks on-site during 9 years. During January of each year we disposed off 1 year worth of blocks (the oldest) and only kept those deemed by the pathologists as interesting for our residents' training program.Regarding slides, in 2001 we had 56 years of slides on-site and it was decided to send the majority out to a "specialized" facility, and it was a complete nightmare. Many slides broke and the final arrangement was incorrect becoming extraordinarily difficult finding a case.This situation was most likely caused by a poor selection of the storing company. I would never repeat this decision but, on the other hand, you could ask: what is the point in storing slides for so many years?My suggestion to you is to ask your legal department what could be the expectation regarding slides storage, i.e. how many years the lab could be liable if a legal suit is levied against the hospital? This is a difficult question to answer.Other approach could be to follow CAP requirements regarding storage time for blocks and slides. In Florida we are required to store blocks for 9 years, and that is what we did.My recommendation to you is: keep blocks and slides for the maximum time required by your licensing agency, and store them within your actual reach do NOT send them out to store outside. Discard the rest keeping only those that represent a teaching interest.René   

    On Thursday, January 12, 2017 10:59 AM, Amy Self via Histonet <histonet at lists.utsouthwestern.edu> wrote:
 

 Happy Thursday connected to Friday,

Have a few questions about slide and block storage...


Are you blocks and slides stored on-site or off-site at a record control type facility?

If your blocks and slides are stored off-site how do you get the material that you need at any given point of the day?



Thanks in advance for your help,
Amy Self
Histology Lab Senior Tech
Lab
Tidelands Georgetown Memorial Hospital
606 Black River Road
Georgetown, SC 29440
843-520-8711
ASelf at tidelandshealth.org

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