Hi,

We are in the unenviable position of doing just that.  Our old tissues are
strained through a metal-screen sieve (sp?) double bagged, and incinerated.
Likewise, we pay by the pound. Every monday, we rotate the tissue and toss
it. - Oh Joy - I'm just thankful that we don't have to dessicate it to
reduce weight even more!!!

Have a good day,

Tim Webster
Northwestern Medical Center
Fairfield Street, VT
(802) 524-1070
twebster@nmcinc.org


-----Original Message-----
From: David Reynolds [mailto:DReynolds@SNBLUSA.com]
Sent: Monday, March 26, 2001 7:32 PM
To: 'MTitford@aol.com'; histonet@pathology.swmed.edu
Subject: RE: About separating specimens and formalin...


Yes, a few years back I worked at a hospital where each tech rotated the
unenviable task of using a colander to separate the specimens from the
formalin.  We would then double red bag and box the tissue for incineration.
This was mainly a cost-saving method, as the incineration contractor charged
by the pound.  

Can't say I miss doing that, though.

David A. Reynolds, HT(ASCP)
SNBL USA, Ltd.
6605 Merrill Creek Parkway
Everett, WA  98203


-----Original Message-----
From: MTitford@aol.com [mailto:MTitford@aol.com]
Sent: Monday, March 26, 2001 2:50 PM
To: histonet@pathology.swmed.edu
Subject: About separating specimens and formalin...


Our hospital is about to stop using an incinerator to burn all its waste,
and 
instead create different waste streams. Most biohardous waste will be 
sterilized, some of that will be shredded, then eveything sent to a
landfill.
Surgical pathology specimens however, will be incinerated by an outside 
contractor. Trouble is, the contractor does not want the formalin, just the 
specimens! Has anyone else run into this? Are there histotechs around the 
country (or the world) emptying formalin out all those little containers,
and 
some large ones, that we all receive surgical pathology specimens in? How do

others separate the specimens and the formalin?