Hi all.  I would have to agree with you Dave, on all aspects you mentioned.
The end product (optimally processed and stained slides)is what the
pathologist needs to render an accurate dx.  I work in a small lab and here
quality is as important as quantity, if not more so.  I couldn't imagine
letting the reagents on the V.I.P. go beyond a weeks run.  Somewhere in all
those tissue filled casettes is someone's loved one, maybe yours.  

Michelle.
-----Original Message-----
From: David Taylor Manager [mailto:DTMan@KINGMOWER.COM.AU]
Sent: Tuesday, February 06, 2001 9:33 PM
To: Histonet (E-mail)
Subject: Xylene usage


Dear fellow microtomist's,

If I, a member of my family, close friend, enemy or other was having a
specimen processed on a tissue processor, I would expect fresh reagents. Do
use an enclosed processor if the money is there, do rotate like reagent from
from old to new, do buy a TP that makes this easy, (VIP, or my personel
choice, Leica TP1050.)

We at K&M, and I'm sure others, can tell on opening a retort lid, if the wax
should have been changed yesterday, or on embedding if the fixation was not
optimal.

In pathology, we receive money from patient's for a service provided.

Provide a good service, change reagents, it does make a difference to the
end product.

David.

David Taylor
Laboratory Manager
Drs King & Mower
Adelaide, Australia