We have always kept blocks for 10 years and all slides for 20 years.  We
recently have changed the slides to 10 years but plan to keep blocks at 10
years.

Tom Mc Nemar
Pathology Supervisor
Licking Memorial Hospital
Newark, Ohio

> -----Original Message-----
> From:	Sheila Poellein [SMTP:sheila_poellein@deaconess.com]
> Sent:	Monday, May 15, 2000 2:10 PM
> To:	'histonet'
> Subject:	paraffin block storage
> 
> CAP regulations state that paraffin blocks should be retained for 5 years.
> In a recent CAP Today, it was suggested that this time  be extended for
> either all blocks or tumor blocks because of the potential for new testing
> capabilites (for example her 2-neu) that might be developed.  We have
> limited storage space as well as spare time to keep two filing systems for
> blocks.  I would appreciate all comments on this issue, do you keep longer
> than 5 years or not?, if you do what system do you have in place?  all
> blocks or selective blocks? 
> 
> thanks,
> Sheila
>