More info,

Sorry that I forgot to mention that Fisher is including the Hacker
coverslipper, too. I really like the coverslipper and our cytology personnel
will be able to use it for their coverslipping needs, too. All in all, it is
a good deal. I just have to think about the size of the stainer and if it is
worth giving up precious bench space for it, besides all of the technical
aspects of this stainer. I know that there are other stainers that offer
more flexibility with individual station time programming, etc. This is a
big plus especially for deparaffinization special stains, etc. I want a
stainer that is dependable, ease of operation (I have some assistance from
military med. techs), and mostly trouble free operation in the least. So, if
anyone has used this stainer, keep the comments coming. I'm "listening".

Thanks,

Diane C. Gladney, HT(ASCP)
Moncrief Army Community Hospital
Dept. of Pathology, Histology Section
Ft. Jackson, SC 29207-5600



-----Original Message-----
From: Kimberly L Merriam [mailto:kmerriam@tktx.com]
Sent: Thursday, July 12, 2001 11:18 AM
To: Gladney Diane C; Histonet
Subject: Re: H&E Auto Stainer


"Gladney, Diane C" wrote:

> Hi Fellow Histonetters,
>
> I have a Fisher Protocol Auto H&E Stainer w/ coverslipper that has been
> recalled by the manufacturer. I have had only very minor problems with
this
> stainer and I hate to have to give it up. Fisher wants to replace the
> stainer with the Hacker MK II Linear Stainer. This stainer is almost 5 ft.
> long and each station cannot be individually timed. The time set is the
time
> the slide rack will stay in each station. Reagent concentration determines
> the length of each step. Not only is the unit very large, but I can't seem
> to find anyone that currently has this stainer to evaluate the pros and
> cons. Since we cannot keep our Protocol stainer, I would like to have
> something that is about the same size and that I can control the time in
> each station. I know that Leica makes a stainer that would meet our needs
> but I urgently need some feedback on the Hacker stainer so that I and our
> pathologists can make a timely decision of whether to accept the Hacker
> stainer or opt for the money to replace the old stainer with another
> stainer. I know that there are some labs that are using this Hacker
stainer.
> Is it really cost effective as the company claims? What about staining
> problems. I am the only Histotech in our lab and I have to do everything
> from accessioning, grossing, etc. You get the picture! My time is valuable
> and I can't spend unnecessary time each week making dilutions of stains
and
> reagents just to do the H&E stain. Please give me some feedback as soon as
> possible.
>
> Thanks a million,
>
> Diane C. Gladney, HT(ASCP)
> Moncrief Army Community Hospital
> Dept. of Pathology, Histology Section
> Ft. Jackson, SC 29207-5600

Diane,

We had a Hacker Linear stainer at the lab I used to work at.  It worked very
well, but did require a lot of work to get the staining right.  I believe
each
station was set at 2 minutes and you just need to add or subtract the number
of
stations to get the desired result (e.g., 4 Hematoxylin stations at 2
minutes
each = 8 minutes total in the stain, 1/2 strength Eosin to eliminate
overstaining and very low concentrations of acid alcohol to prevent totally
de-staining the tissues).  I can get you the exact times, stations, etc., if
you are interested.

We