We put ours in biohazard boxes and they are hauled off as medical waste.

Roxanne Soto
AP Supervisor
414-447-2272
rsoto@covhealth.org


-----Original Message-----
From: Bruce Gapinski [mailto:BGapinski@pathgroup.com]
Sent: Wednesday, February 19, 2003 3:57 PM
To: 'Lance Erickson'; histonet@pathology.swmed.edu;
SohrabB@wmmcpo.ah.org
Subject: RE: PARAFFIN BLOCKS


Nice, but how will you "dispose" of those blocks that are 11 plus years old?
Bruce (I am not a rep)Gapinski

-----Original Message-----
From: Lance Erickson [mailto:PCLERICK@ihc.com]
Sent: Wednesday, February 19, 2003 12:53 PM
To: histonet@pathology.swmed.edu; SohrabB@wmmcpo.ah.org
Subject: Re: PARAFFIN BLOCKS


Here is a copy and paste of exactly what is on the CAP website which
will be the most up to date information for the Anatomic Pathology
Checklist: 

ANP.12500             Phase II

Are surgical pathology records and materials retained for an
appropriate period?

NOTE: Minimum requirements for surgical pathology, providing these are
not less stringent than state and federal regulations, are:

1.                  accession log records - 2 years
2.                  wet tissue (stock bottle) - 2 weeks after final
report
3.                  paraffin blocks - 10 years
4.                  glass slides and reports - 10 years.

COMMENTARY:
Surgical pathology reports and/or materials must be retained for an
appropriate period.  The retention period should be extended in order to
provide documentation for adequate quality control and medical care.  In
establishing retention requirements, care should be taken to comply with
state and federal regulations.  There must be a documented policy for
protecting and preserving the integrity and retrieval of surgical
pathology materials and records.  Suggested retention guidelines for
surgical pathology, providing these are not in conflict with state and
federal regulations, are:

1.                  accession log records - 2 years
2.                  wet tissue (stock bottle) - 2 weeks after final
report
3.                  paraffin blocks - 10 years
4.                  glass slides and reports - 10 years.

REFERENCE: College of American Pathologists. Guidelines for the
retention of laboratory records and materials. Northfield, IL: CAP,
current edition

Hope this helps. This is as clear as it gets.

Lance Erickson
Anatomic Pathology Supervisor
Primary Children's Medical Center
Salt Lake City, UT
(801) 588-3110
pclerick@ihc.com

>>> Behnaz Sohrab  02/19/03 01:25PM >>>
We are having cap inspection in June. My pathologists are telling me
that CAP is requiring to keep the paraffin blocks for 10 years ?  Our
policy at present time is : Paraffin blocks 5 years
                              Slides 10 years
 I would love to hear from you all !  Thanks


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