Our medical maintenance department has a life expectancy of the processors
and embedding centers of 10-15 years (plus a total dollar amount for
repairs). The microtomes are usually 10 years, again with a total dollar
amount for repair. The repair money is a total amount allowed over the years
so when the money is gone for that instrument, the instrument has to be
replaced because there is not any more repair support funds for the
instrument. If you have equipment that needs repairing or servicing often
after the warranty has expired, then the time will be much shorter. In my
case, I just have to pray that the equipment is top quality because there is
seldom a lot of money for equipment replacement except as an emergency
replacement. But that is another nightmare all together if you get my drift.
Hope this is a helpful guideline.

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



-----Original Message-----
From: Mack, Jacquie [mailto:Jacquie.Mack@CLS.ab.ca]
Sent: Tuesday, July 17, 2001 8:49 AM
To: 'histonet@pathology.swmed.edu'
Subject: life expectancy of equipment


Hello fellow Histonetters!

It's budget time once again and our managers and the finance department
would like to know what the average life expectancy is for the following:

	-processors
	-embedding centers
	-microtomes (manual and automated)

I thought maybe some vendors out there would have some information for me!

Thanks in advance!


Jacquie Mack
Tech II Main Lab
Histopathology FMC
Calgary Lab Services
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Phone: 670-1574
Fax: 270-4093



Jacquie Mac