Connie,

Soaking our blocks for 10-15 minutes is mostly just routine.  That's just the time it takes to rough cut our blocks.  Usually by the time we rough cut 40-60 blocks each, everything else is cool and ready to go.  However, some tissues do require that time on the ice bath.  We cut more than just organ tissue.  We're a diagnostic lab so aside from necropsies, we receive all sorts of "lumps and bumps", bones, and not to mention shrimp and fish as well.  So, a lot of that stuff just doesn't cooperate in less it has that time on the ice.

Renee Escalona, BS, HTL(ASCP)
Diagnostic Laboratory Supervisor
Texas Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Lab
College Station, TX