We also have an automated coverslipper, and to be honest, having excess
tissue in that manner on most of our slides would be considered
unacceptable.  Our techs spend a small amount of time making sure our slides
are "clean" as we discourage wall to wall blocks when the pathologists are
grossing the specimens.  They know that if they put too much in, what comes
out in the final slide is usually garbage.

If you want to decrease the amount of time you spend de-coverslipping to
clean up excess after, I would suggest correcting your sample size and
picking up technique beforehand.

Kathy Johnston
Tech II - Special Stains
Anatomic Pathology - Foothills Medical Center
Calgary Laboratory Services
Ph - 403-670-4760
Fax - 403-270-4093


-----Original Message-----
From: MEller@stpetes.org [mailto:MEller@stpetes.org]
Sent: Monday, February 25, 2002 2:11 PM
To: histonet@pathology.swmed.edu
Subject: Automated coverslipping


We are contemplating getting an automatic coverslipper due to
repetittitititive momotion injury of a coworker.  I am wondering how most
of you deal with cleaning the excess tissue from the slides.  Our histotech
lifts the ribbons off the water bath with alot of excess tissue wrapped
around the edges and back of slides.  The excess tissue is then cleaned off
by the lab assistant as she is coverslipping.  For those of you with
automated coverslippers, are you spending alot more time at the water bath
getting a single section or a clean series of sections?  We deal with a
variety of human tissue, and it can be difficult to seperate the sections
on the water bath without tearing the preferred section - especially on
those blocks with wall to wall tissue.  Any input is greatly appreciated -
thank you!

Mary Eller, CT, HT
St. Peter's Hospital  - Helena, MT