Michelle:

I am not familiar with the Tissue Tek stainer.  Are the times in each
reagent exact?  I know that on the Leica stainer if the stain times are not
set for exact the times will vary depending on the other racks staining at
the same time.  This could account for variability with the stain.  If you
want to call me please feel free.

Jennifer
(909) 985-2811 extension 4148

> ----------
> From: 	Skelton, Michelle[SMTP:mskelton@anthc.org]
> Sent: 	Monday, September 27, 1999 6:44 PM
> To: 	'histonet@pathology.swmed.edu'
> Subject: 	H&E help 
> 
>    We are having a problem with our H&E being inconsistent (sometimes from
> day to day, sometimes from batch to batch).  We have an automated stainer
> (Tissue-Tek) and purchase the hematoxylin and eosin from Surgipath.  We do
> not change program times or reagents, yet sometimes our stain is light and
> sometimes it is dark (preferred).  
>    We had experimented with the times and thought that we had found one
> that
> was "perfect"....then something happened and we have had problems ever
> since.  The stain seems to be especially light after changing the alcohols
> and xylenes.  We have not changed any processes, vendors, or
> manufacturers.
> But our stain is continually changing. Some days it is great and other
> days
> it is too light.  The same hematoxylin, eosin, alcohol, and xylene are on
> our manual stain line.  We stain those following the same times as on the
> auto stainer and they come out perfect every time. Has anybody else had
> this
> problem and does anybody know what to do about it?
>   We have tried everything that we can possibly think of and are at our
> wits
> end. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
> 
> Thanks in advance,
> Michelle Skelton
> Alaska Native Medical Center
>