SAFETY IN HISTOPATHOLOGIC LABORATORY

Exposure to blood, body fluids and chemicals are the greatest risks associated with
histopathologic laboratory. Occupational Safety and Health Administration issued the rule for
universal precaution. This states that all human blood, body fluids and tissues must be treated
as if they were infectious. Blood borne pathogens when present in human blood can cause
disease. These include Hepatitis B virus, Hepatitis C virus and Human Immunodeficiency Virus
(HIV). These risks can be minimized by adopting universal precautions as well as standard
laboratory practices. The following are good laboratory practices that should be enforced in
histopathologic laboratory.

1. Handwashing.

Hands must be washed:

✓ Whenever there is visible contamination with blood and body fluids

✓ Before and after work

✓ After gloves are removed and between glove changes

✓ Before leaving the laboratory

2. Eating, drinking, smoking and applying cosmetics are prohibited inside laboratory work
area

3. Sharps should be disposes in a puncture-resistant container. This should be leak proof.

4. Gloves must be worn when handling biologic specimens.

5. Areas or equipment used by personnel who are not gloved should not be touched with
contaminated gloves.

6. Any accident must be reported immediately to instructor so that appropriate prophylactic

precautions may be taken.

7. Mixing of chemicals must be done inside the fume hood.

8. Properly dispose all contaminated supplies in the appropriate container.

9. Disinfect and clean biohazard spills immediately.

10. Personal protective equipment should always be worn inside the laboratory.
Name: DAYAGAN, GWYNETH MARIE M. Date: JUNE 29, 2021

EXERCISE 1

SUPPLIES & EQUIPMENT IN HISTOPATHOLOGY LABORATORY

In order to study tissues and cells under the microscope, they must undergo
various steps in processing. As students in histopathology and cytology, it is essential to
familiarize yourselves with the different materials and equipment that is being used in this
section of the laboratory. Skills is as important as how you will care and maintain this
equipment to come up with good histology and cytology slides to be examined by the
pathologist that will aid in the correct diagnosis of patients.

1. OBJECTIVES
At the end of the laboratory exercise, the students should be able to:

1.1 Identify the different materials and equipment used to process tissue and body fluids

for histopathologic and cytologic examinations.

1.2 Explain the different uses and maintenance measures of these materials and

equipment to ensure their usability and functionality.

2. MATERIALS

2.1 Laboratory manual

2.2 Ball pen

3. PROCEDURE

3.1 Identify the material or equipment presented in the picture.

3.2 Give its uses, purpose, or application in histopathologic or cytologic techniques.

3.3 Give 2 – 5 sentences on how to maintain the material and equipment in good

condition.

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4. RESULT/OBSERVATION

4.1 Label and provide required information provide.

Name: ROTARY MICROTOME
Uses/Application: used in obtaining sections from paraffin-
embedded samples.
Maintenance: daily cleaning from paraffin debris and
yearly preventive maintenance.

Name: CRYOSTAT MACHINE/FREEZING MICROTOME

Uses/Application: used for cutting frozen samples; its
reduced temperature increases the sample’s hardness.
Maintenance: microtomy debris must be removed from
the cryostat chamber; knife and exposed surfaces must be
cleaned with 70% alcohol; place outside ref chamber to
avoid heat-expansion and cold-contraction effects.

Name: AUTOMATED EMBEDDING UNIT

Uses/Application: used in moderate to heavy workloads in
preparing wax tissue blocks; minimize wax accumulation.
Maintenance: maintain in a clean condition and use only
minimal quantities of solvent in absorbent cloth and use
plastic or wooden implements when scraping wax off;
switch off before removing plug; unplug while cleaning.

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Name: AUTOMATIC TISSUE PROCESSOR
Uses/Application: used to prepare tissue samples for
sectioning and microscopic examination in the laboratory.
Maintenance: change the reagent when usage limit is
reached before running the next process to obtain well-
processed blocks; before exchanging fuses, the main
switch must be switched off and instrument is unplugged.

Name: LIGHT MICROSCOPE

Uses/Application: used to magnify small objects and
observe a specimen at a cellular level.
Maintenance: lenses should be kept away from anything
abrasive especially when cleaning; used moistened lens
paper with lens cleaning solution and clean in circular
motion.

Name: MICROTOME KNIFE/ BLADE HOLDER

Uses/Application: accommodate disposable blades for
paraffin and cryostat sectioning to allow histologist
maximum flexibility.
Maintenance: maintenance-free; durable; less susceptible
to nicks and normal wear and tear

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Name: TISSUE CASSETTES/TISSUE RECEPTACLE
Uses/Application: hold and identify tissue samples in
processing, embedding, and sectioning procedures.
Maintenance: soaked in xylene to remove the dehydrating
agent; do not overload so as to avoid compressed tissues
which will then cannot be adequately dehydrated.

Name: GLASS SLIDES AND COVER SLIPS

Uses/Application: used for microscope specimen
observation. It is where the specimen is mounted.
Maintenance: should be clean and fingerprint-free; held by
their edges; clean slides by using 70% ethanol and
afterwards, dried with a lint-free tissue or lens tissue.

Name: TEASING NEEDLE

Uses/Application: used to straighten tissue section and
readjust samples.
Maintenance: must be cleaned after each use; stainless
steel needle and durable handle must be sanitized well to
prepare it for next or future usage

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Name: TISSUE FLOTATION WATER BATH
Uses/Application: used to assist with the handling of
samples in the laboratory, allowing manipulation and
location onto slides
Maintenance: must be stored in a clean and ventilated
room (less than 80% humidity); keep it away from
flammable chemicals; avoid high heat areas and prolonged
LCD contact

Name: GLASS STAINING DISH AND SLIDE CARRIER

Uses/Application: hold microscope slides during staining
procedures
Maintenance: clean properly; follow suitable number of
slides to be used

Name: COPLIN JAR

Uses/Application: used to stain specimens in lesser
quantities
Maintenance: filter out solution before staining; clean
properly after each use

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Name: ELECTRIC PARAFFIN PITCHER/ELECTRIC PARAFFIN
WAX DISPENSER
Uses/Application: used for wax melting and embedding
Maintenance: ensure that there is no debris; filter out wax
and check temperature constantly

Name: ELECTRIC PARAFFIN BATH

Uses/Application: used to immerse processed tissues
Maintenance: accuracy of temperature is vital since it
might greatly affect the processing of immersed sample;
check temperature from time to time.

Name: ELECTRIC PARAFFIN KNIFE WITH HOLDER AND

FORCEPS WARMER
Uses/Application: used to pick up the wax, as well as
Ensure that tissues won’t adhere to it.
Maintenance: ensure that there is no leftover wax from
previous use; clean well prior to next use/test.

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5. STUDY QUESTIONS

3.1 What are the data that should be included in the equipment maintenance log in
histopathology section?

Data included in the equipment maintenance log in include the name of the equipment or
instrument, the manufacturer, date the instrument is purchased, model number, serial number,
record of preventive maintenance performed as prescribed by the manufacturer, date of
inspection, validation or performance evaluation of the instrument, date of last repair, calibration
date or record of cleaning, and the daily temperature monitoring for all temperature-controlled
equipment.

3.2 How would you label reagent and stain containers in histopathology section?

Labels should consist of the name of all ingredients, the manufacturer’s name and address if
commercially purchased or the name of the person making the reagent, purchase date or the
manufacture date.

3.3 How do you decontaminate materials and equipment in histopathology section?

Lysol solution must be used in decontaminating materials and equipment. Water baths
should be washed, rinsed, and dried daily. Cutting boards are immersed in 10% hypochloride
solution for 8 hours or overnight. Auto-Technicon processors are also washed and dried once
daily. The wax in tissue cassettes should be removed and placed in detergent bath, washed,
cleaned, scald, and towel dried. Sinks should also be cleaned with Lysol daily. Doorknobs,
cabinet handles, light plates, faucets, etc. should be disinfected with gauze containing
disinfectant solution since these are some places frequently touched or contaminated. Wet tissues
should be stored in 10% formalin in leak proof containers, and disposed by incineration after 4
weeks. Wastes should be disposed appropriately in properly identified containers such as sharp
boxes.

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Student’s Name: DAYAGAN, GWYNETH MARIE M. Group& Sec: GROUP 2 – C Date: JUNE 29, 2021
Exercise No. 1: SUPPLIES & EQUIPMENT USED IN HISTOPATHOLOGY LABORATORY

CRITERIA BEGINNING DEVELOPING ACCOMPLISHED EXEMPLARY SCORE

(5) (10) (15) (20)
Ability to Answer Able to answer Able to answer Able to answer Able to answer
Questions 25% of the 50% of the 75% of the item 100% of the
Able to answer all items required. items required. required. item required.
the required items
in the activity .
Content/Knowledge Presents 25% Presents 50% Presents 75% Presents 100%
Presented of the of the of the of the
Presents knowledge knowledge knowledge knowledge
scientific/practical required. required. required. required.
facts based on
knowledge of the
subject.
Finding Relevant 25% of the 50% of the 75% of the 100% of the
Information answers were answers were answers were answers were
Presents facts and supported by supported by supported by supported by
relevant facts & relevant facts & relevant facts & relevant facts & relevant
information to information. information. information. information.
support the
answers.
Sentence Fluency & 25% of the 50% of the 75% of the 100% of the
Organization of sentences were sentences were sentences were sentences were
Thoughts clear & clear & clear & clear &
Sentences are understandable. understandable. understandable. understandable.
very clear & Lacks Few ideas Most of the All ideas
understandable. spontaneity of showed ideas showed showed
ideas. spontaneity. spontaneity. spontaneity.
Ideas were
presented in order
and spontaneous.
Punctuality Did not able to Submitted on Submitted on Submitted on or
Submitted the submit on the the closing date the closing and before the due
output on the due date & but exceed 1 a day after the and closing
specified date & closing date. day on the due due date. dates.
time. date.
TOTAL SCORE

Preceptor’s Signature: __________________