Well said, Mike!  I think it usually comes down to money (saddened, again).
For the time it takes a histotech to prepare staining stocks, they could do
other things such as cut slides...therefore the institution pays less in
salary for a receiver to sign for purchased "kit" stains than for the
in-house preparation of stains by a histotech.  While we are all aware of
the financial concerns in health care, and while pre-made "kit"
preparations and automated equipment help curb some of these concerns, we
all need to remember that the ultimate "result" is appropriate and timely
patient care.  If "kit" preparations and automated equipment can accomplish
this "result", then, in my opinion, they are fine to use...if there's a
problem with accomplishing this "result" using these methods, then the task
at hand is to assess the methods and make the appropriate changes...and
this is where knowledgable, experienced  and creative histotechs are
invaluable!
Bottom line:  if a microwave cooks dinner adequately and you're comfortable
using it...do; but if it breaks, you'd better know how to light the stove!

Just my thoughts.
Stant:  we currently use several "kits" and automated stainer and
processor.

~Francie~

Francie Gallery
FGALLERY@neurobio.sunysb.edu

Department of Neurobiology & Behavior, SUNY Stony Brook, Stony Brook, NY
Histology Department, Suffolk County Medical Examiner's Office, Hauppauge,
NY