okay,
not to offend anyone, but in "my" experience in doing IHC for the last few
years, before the advent of plus slides, I used to use anything and
everything from a 15% Elmer's Glue solution to chrom-alum treated slides.
All the waterbaths had gelatin in them.  When I started using plus slides, I
used just distilled water.  As far as heating the slides, I was always told
not to expose them to heat higher than 60 degrees C.,  even with using HIER.
I usually put the slides in a 60 degree oven overnight, especially fatty
cases such as breast. I've never had any problems. I once was told that
there is a difference with using dry heat (slide oven) with HIER (some sort
of liquid used with high temps).
    As usual, this editorial is the sole expression of the author and does
not reflect the views of the present employer.

Joe Nocito, BS, HT (ASCP) QIHC
Histology Manager
Pathology Reference Lab
San Antonio, Texas
----- Original Message -----
From: "rueggp" 
To: ; "HistoNet Server"

Sent: Friday, March 08, 2002 12:03 PM
Subject: HELP me settle a problem


> Maria's QUESTION...
>
> OK...I have a co-worker who argues with me about IHC slide
preparations...she's been a histo tech for 17+ years...and to quote her
"I've been doing it this way for over 17 years and I haven't heard any
compliants..."
>
> (1) I cut IHC slides in clean water (no adhesive) and put them on Plus
(charged) slides. I then let them air dry over night and send them off to
the lab that will do IHC stains on them I also cut them at 3-4 microns
>
> Here's the problem: My co-worker put a chrmagnum solution with tymol in
her waterbath. She cuts them at 6 microns. Then she places them in a hot
oven (70-80 degress) and super heats them until the wax is dripping off them
They sit in the oven 30 minutes to 3 hours...or when ever she remembers to
remove them.
> Am I crazy? I have been a tech for 12 years and I was told to NEVER super
heat slides, cut them thin always, and air dry.
>
> please get back to me as soon as you can...its driving me crazy.
>
> maria,
> this is a whole can of worms.
> our concepts about super heating slides have all changed with the advent
of HIER.
> one thing i am pretty sure about though, is if she puts stuff in her
waterbath it will negate the charge benefits of the plus slides, might as
well use uncoated slides and save the money.
> the proof is all in the results.  if she can demonstrate by use of
controls consistantly good IHC staining using these preparation methods then
it is hard to argue with her, on the other hand if there are problems, even
occasional problems with the IHC staining then the preparation methods are
suspect.  i would
> suggest running your preparation methods along side her slide preparation
methods, do IHC and see what the results are.  the proof is in the pudding.
>
> Patsy
>
> "FASTRAVEN@EARTHLINK.NET" wrote:
>
> > Hi Patsy,
> > OK...I have a co-worker who argues with me about IHC slide
preparations...she's been a histo tech for 17+ years...and to quote her
"I've been doing it this way for over 17 years and I haven't heard
anycompliants..."
> >
> > (1) I cut IHC slides in clean water (no adhesive) and put them on Plus
(charged) slides. I then let them air dry over night and send them off to
the lab that will do IHC stains on them I also cut them at 3-4 microns
> >
> > Here's the problem: My co-worker put a chrmagnum solution with tymol in
her waterbath. She cuts them at 6 microns. Thenshe places them in a hot oven
(70-80 degress) and super heats them until the wax is dripping off them They
sit in the oven 30 minutes to 3 hours...or when ever she remembers to remove
them.
> > Am I crazy? I have been a tech for 12 years and I was told to NEVER
super heat slides, cut them thin always, and air dry.
> >
> > please get back to me as soon as you can...its driving me crazy.
> > I work at Queen of the Valley Hospital in Napa, CA
> > I got all my training at UCDavis and have a license.
> > (its no wonder why the slides give negative results)
> >
> > thanks again,
> > Maria Katleba MS,HT
> > Queen of the Valley Hospital
> > Pathology Lab
> > 1000 Trancas
> > Napa, CA 94558        707-257-4076 2am-1030am M-F  California time :)
> >
> > --------------------------------------------------------------------
> > mail2web - Check your email from the web at
> > http://mail2web.com/ .
>
>