We found that shortening the program from the routine 60 minutes to 20
minutes per solution worked all the time. This means the total processing
time is 4 hours. If you don't have two processors you can set a  20 minute
program on the one you have.  Hopefully you have an early person who starts
before 6:00 and can get things going for you.

-----Original Message-----
From: Sanders, Julie, VHACIN [mailto:Julie.Sanders@med.va.gov]
Sent: Tuesday, January 25, 2000 8:27 AM
To: 'histonet@pathology.swmed.edu'
Subject: Colon polyps and bxs


Histonetters,
   We are having terrible problems with our polyps and gastric/colon
biopsies.  We have tried the warm water soak, back to ice water soak, and
sometimes this works.  What I'm looking for is consistency...our pathologist
is quite unhappy that ALL the polyps/bxs aren't perfect.
What do you do for processing these specimens and are there any other
"tricks" to make them cut better.  All info will be GREATLY appreciated as
he is driving me crazy.  This has been an ongoing problem .
   Thanks to all in advance,
Julie Sanders
Supervisor, Anatomic Path
VA Medical Center, Cincinnati