Histonetters:
A few thoughts:

The key here (I think) is to not do anything repetative for a long
duration. All the instrumentation will not replace getting up and
inbetween cutting, staining, labeling, delivering slides, etc.  If your
present schedule doesn't permit, be creative, get out of the box and try a
different approach. :)  We all know the slides need to come out at a
specific time, there are many ways to accomplish that goal :)

What may seem to be time consuming may be saved by doing things
differently thus saving time loss with the the strain, or mood swings
because of bordom.

Purchase adjustable chairs, move them up and down periodically,perhaps 
have the benches remade to allow for adjusting.

I have not been at the bench for a long time, but I will tell you that
even the brain goes dead if you sit and stare at the numbers to figure out
how to reduce costs and service everyone's needs.  Getting up, going to do
something else, like enjoy your employee's, or figure out a solution to
something they may have let you in on while doing that instead of
number crunching, makes it much easier to come back to. (and the mind
works better, just like wrists and elbows) :)

The standing position, several have mentioned, seems unusual but it does
work.

Carpal shoulders/neck, Don  :(  
(but not after getting up and doing something differently)  :)

                                              
                                             
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Don Hammer, Administrative Director            UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON 
Hospital Pathology, Box 356100                     MEDICAL CENTER
1995 NE Pacific St.                                
Seattle Washington, 98195                  ~Where Knowledge Comes To Life~ 
(206) 598-6401 Fax: (206) 598-4928         
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On Wed, 2 Jun 1999, Penelope Marr wrote:

> Barbara,
> I was taught to cut sitting down.  The benches we had were designed for
> sitting.  The next lab I worked in we stood yet in the following we sat.
> I now stand or sit according to how I feel most comfortable (usually
> what gives me best posture and regular changes in posture).  I can't say
> that I find that it makes any real difference to either the quality of
> my work or my efficiency.  I can also cut with the microtome sideways
> but must admit that I find it easier to see what I am doing with it
> front on.  I guess it all comes down to personal preference and how the
> lab was designed.  
> 
> In Australia microtomy posture seems to vary from lab to lab and the
> direction of the microtome varies from person to person.  The one thing
> most of have in common is that we use rotary microtomes.
> 
> Penny Marr
> 
> 
> 
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From:	barbwebb@webtv.net [SMTP:barbwebb@webtv.net]
> > Sent:	Wednesday, 2 June 1999 5:22
> > To:	histonet@Pathology.swmed.edu
> > Subject:	Standing at the microtome
> > 
> > When I  was  taught  cutting  with the
> > microtome (many years ago)  we  stood
> > at  a  counter -
> > 
> > I was told  by  my teacher  - she  had 
> > always done it that  way - and  thought
> > that  possibly her teacher  learned histology  in  England....
> > 
> > So I have continued  to  do this  - no
> > carpal  tunnel  -good  posture- weight
> > contol  -
> > 
> > But  I've been curious  - is it done this
> > way  in UK? - does anyone else cut
> > standing up-
> > 
> > best regards to all  "histonetters"
> > 
> > Barbara Webb HT(ASCP)HTL
> > Dorchester General  Hospital
> > Cambridge, Maryland  
> > 
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