Newsletter

In last month’s article, ‘Box Storage Utilities’, we discussed the primary containment material used in routine Histology laboratories, that of an organized cardboard box construction. We discussed,...

Histopathology, both clinical and research, can develop into decades of endless storage and archiving of samples. Many specimens must be kept readily accessible for a short period of time while...

Due to an increased interest in the subject of simple overlooked safety considerations, a third segment has been added to this series; that of developing an overall consciousness towards personal...

In Part 1 of this series the emphasis was on basic personal safety practices that are so elementary that they are often overlooked.  In this second part our focus is on air quality and the ‘assumed’...

While the histopathology laboratory has progressively become more efficient, with a vast diversity in applications and techniques, the replication and monotony of routine tasks have caused some of...

The continuous accumulation of biological specimens in diagnostic anatomic pathology, make the inevitable need for ‘off-site’ storage (OSS) a reality.  When the remodeling of rooms/space begins to...

Within the realm of the clinical Histopathology laboratory (hospital or reference lab), the Hematoxylin & Eosin stain has become a procedural doctrine; validated and written in stone, and...

In today’s Histopathology laboratory, particularly large volume labs, tissue cassette selection and use has been standardized down to one or two models of cassette; chosen to accommodate the general...

Within the simple basic protocol of slide staining, we see the same science of fluid transfer that is employed in routine tissue processing.  Optimal fluid transfer is the foundation of successful,...

In the first two articles of this series, we discussed the workflow impediments of Silos and minimal Cross-Training among personnel. It was emphasized that both are extreme liabilities to the...

In Part 1 of this series, we discussed workplace silos as the first major impediment to optimized workflow. Silos only superficially cover vital tasks or stations within the workflow process, such...

Managing today’s multi-disciplinary lab environment is challenging in many aspects.  Most clinical (hospital and/or reference lab) environments are marginally to severely understaffed, resulting in...

In Part 1 of this series, we discussed the theory and science of wax infiltration in routine tissue processing. A key point stablished was that the basic paraffin molecule is a simple straight chain...

Paraffin wax is used in the tissue processing sequence where, after fixation, dehydration, and clearing, the tissues are infiltrated with wax to give it structure and support during microtomy. There...

In Part 1 of this series on hard storage systems, we discussed low volume options for the original pathologic sample items (raw tissue, tissue blocks/tissue slides) upon which the diagnosis was...

The discipline of Anatomic Pathology is understandably one of the greatest hoarders in the medical profession. While so many other fields of medicine have transitioned to electronic data retention...

In Part 1 of this series, we discussed enhanced methods to guard against specimen loss during tissue fixation and processing. In this second part, we will continue that discussion from the...

In the world of Histopathology, seldom do we still see the need for large, hunk-like specimens surgically removed for patient diagnoses. In the mid-2000s the profession began to see a transition...

In the previous series titled, “Understanding H&E Staining”, it was stated that high volume H&E staining laboratories would experience some degree of moderate to significant loss of stain...

In this third and final piece of our series on H&E staining comprehension, we will discuss a) the steps involved in achieving the optimal stain; a concept known as balance of coloration; and b)...

In Part 1 of this article, we discussed the origin, general qualities, and staining mechanism of the basic dye, hematoxylin. In this feature, Part 2, we will discuss the most common and appropriate...

For centuries scientists and researchers have used tissue specific dyes to advance the knowledge and comprehension of cells and organs. After developing methods of preserving tissues, then...

In Part 1 of this series on maintaining fixation, we discussed fixation from a histochemical perspective illustrating the process and molecular changes in tissues. Two key factors that were...

The preservation and study of tissue and cells is dependent upon one’s ability to stop all cellular degradation and autolysis once tissues have been removed from the body.  Cells must be suspended...

Long before the discovery and advent of Immunohistochemistry in Histology, pathologists utilized and relied on the diagnostic tools of Special Stains. Within this tool founded on the concept of...

Economy in storage products and practices is a necessity that must be woven into present day lab operations and more importantly, planned for the future. In Histopathology laboratories, as in most...

In the opening of this series on microtomy we discussed factors involved in success, such as training and technique. Also discussed was an unknown intangible mystery that frequently arises. It is a...

Histotechnology is often spoken of as an art and a science. This can also be said in reference to one of the principle components of histotechnology, microtomy. In truth, microtomy extends beyond...

The subject title of this article can easily be misinterpreted as an introduction to a complicated set of guidelines and directives that require overly specialized safety equipment, voluminous...

The maintenance and storage of Histology paraffin blocks and slides is a never-ending challenge that exists throughout the life of a laboratory. Many labs confront this challenge with strategic...

With the early onset of immunohistochemistry (IHC) in the anatomic pathology laboratory in the early to mid-1980’s, it soon proved to be a useful tool in a number of different areas of specialty in…

During this season of viral pandemic crisis, we see healthcare being affected in numerous different ways; none more obvious than a reduction in non-essential surgeries, outpatient services, and...

End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) can be defined as a condition of renal function that has digressed to the point that the kidney no longer performs at a level that is self or even life sustaining....

The laboratory technologist is one of the seldom heard of or acknowledged of healthcare workers. In the hospital, the physicians, the nurses, even the custodial staff servicing the rooms; they are...

Part 2 - Environment Safety The first installment of this series (Part 1) on laboratory safety amidst the Covid-19 crisis dealt with enhancing your personal body protection. The focus was on...

Part 1 – Enhancing Personal Body Protection The definition of a ‘novel’ virus is a virus that has not been previously seen or documented in its present form. While a new virus may be in the same...

The preceding article (Optimal Fixation), discussed fixation as the foundation of tissue processing, upon which the success of all other steps is dependent. In this article we will discuss the post...

A quote from a well-respected teaching manual in Histology states, “Fixation, the stabilization of proteins, is the singularly most important step in producing good histologic slides”. Further, “The...

Since the late 18th century glass slides have been a major platform for microscopic and diagnostic study of plant and animal morphology. The translucency of the glass material made it a perfect...

Histotechnology is often and appropriately referred to as an ‘Art & Science’. Art, because it requires skilled craftmanship in manual operations such as microtomy, mounting multiple sections/ribbons...

Within any environment there can and most often is, some degree of conflict. Mild or severe, because we all have our own innate likes and dislikes, there are things that cause friction within our...

One of the most immediate areas of safety consideration for the Histotechnologist is in microtomy. Countless technicians over time, particularly those who have been in the profession long enough to...

The word ‘networking’ can be applied to a number of subjects: business, social, community, etc. Each one has a similar focus, but distinctly different goals and agendas. The similar focus is that e…

Historically the Histology industry has seen a transition from the origin in tissue cassette and mold design that many would view today as rudimentary, even archaic, in its beginning. Histologists…

One of the most precious commodities in multi-functional labs today is space. From the grossing stations, to the processing/embedding rooms, to the microtomy workstations, and even just general cou…

The rotary microtome is the central core of clinical histopathology instrumentation; and even though it has been modernized from manual to semi and fully automated units, basic manual hygiene and m…

Histopathology has seen a meteoric expansion in knowledge, technologies, and diagnostic capabilities; all leading to the advancement of detection and treatment of disease states. With this expansion…