RE: [Histonet] (para)formaldehyde (was: in situ question)

From:"Rittman, Barry R"



While it is true that most people are "trainable" most post docs generally do not have the time to put in to become proficient, and in any case we may not have the time to train them. When they learn about lab techniques it is generally only from the point of view of "what is the minimum that I need to know as I only have a very limited time to do this". 
Histotechs in general are continually learning outside this narrow box. Without this attitude work would become a never ending tedious task.

I think that what most people do when teaching post docs the basics of tissue preparation is give them samples that will always work. This gives them a false impression and they will often believe that histology is very easy. It is only if given some of the challenging material that histotechs have to cut that they will get a true appreciation of the level of skill involved.
While may pathologists have a very good idea of the processes involved in turning out sections, some do not and share the same opinion that many post docs often have.
If I had my choice I would make it mandatory for all post docs and pathologist to spend 6 months in a lab in order to experience the range of problems that can occur. I have found that those post docs and pathologists that have some experience in a histo lab are much more considerate of the work carried out by histotechs and more realistic with their requests.
My opinion.
Barry

-----Original Message-----
From: histonet-bounces@lists.utsouthwestern.edu [mailto:histonet-bounces@lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of Rene J Buesa
Sent: Wednesday, August 27, 2008 8:54 AM
To: 'Mikael Niku'; 'Tony Henwood'; histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu; 'Geoff McAuliffe'; Bernice Frederick
Subject: RE: [Histonet] (para)formaldehyde (was: in situ question)

Very good everything you said EXCEPT for "Post-doc are not tech and never will be" because anybody and everybody that is willing to learn and pay attention to what they do CAN and WILL become a good tech. 
Being a tech is NOT a genetic trait within the great scheme of evolution, you know?
René J.

--- On Wed, 8/27/08, Bernice Frederick  wrote:

From: Bernice Frederick 
Subject: RE: [Histonet] (para)formaldehyde (was: in situ question)
To: "'Mikael Niku'" , "'Tony Henwood'" , histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu, "'Geoff McAuliffe'" 
Date: Wednesday, August 27, 2008, 8:39 AM

We receive tissue from researchers that was fixed in PFA. It goes into 10%
NBF once it hits the processor. Sort of becomes s moot point for us. A lot
of times it's a result of reading a VERY old paper or method (or so
we've
discovered)and they don't know any better. Post-docs are not techs and
never
will be.
Bernice


Bernice Frederick HTL (ASCP)
Northwestern University
Pathology Core Facility
Histology supervisor
ECOGPCO-RL 
710 N Fairbanks Court
Olson 8-421
Chicago,IL 60611
312-503-3723




      
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