HISTOPATHOLOGIC TECHNIQUES

Health Hazards
 Provides the basic concepts about the principles
of technicalities involved in histopathologic Biohazards
procedures.  Anything that can cause disease in
 Provide skills in tissue preparation from fresh to humans regardless of the source.
properly mounted specimens. Causes: Infectious agent
Contaminated reagent
Two Types of Tissue Sample Specimen
 Preserved tissue sample Irritants
 Fresh tissue sample – no encountered fixative  Chemicals that cause reversible
(1:20) inflammatory effects at the site of
contact with living tissue especially the
Purpose of Tissue Preservation skin, eyes and respiratory system
 Prevent putrification passages.
 Prevent autolysis Corrosive Chemicals
 Cause destruction or irreversible
 Biopsy specimen – microscope slide alteration when expose to living tissue.
(histotechnique) Sensitizers
 Interpretation of the slide – pathology report  Cause allergic reaction in a substantial
(pathologist) proportion.
 From biopsy specimen to microscope slide: Carcinogens
Tissue fixation and processing  Substances that induce tumors in
 Slide must not be over or understained. animals and humans.
Examples: Chloroform, Chromic acid,
 The finish microscope slide – from microscope
Forlmaldehyde, Auramine, Basic Fuchsin
slide to pathology report power of the
Toxic Materials (poison)
histotechnique.
 Capable of causing death by ingestion,
10 In Order Tissue Processing skin contact or inhalation at certain
1. Fixation specified concentration.
2. Dehydration Examples: Methanol, Chromic acid,
3. Clearing Osmium tetroxide, Uramyl nitrate
4. Infiltration
5. Embedding Physical Hazards
6. Trimming
7. Sectioning/Tissue Cutting Combustibles (conc. acid)
8. Staining  Substance that ignite a certain
9. Mounting temperature.
10. Labeling Flammables
Explosives
Histotechnology  Picric acid
 The art and science performed by the Oxidizers (harmless)
histotechnologist to produce a tissue section of  Initiates or promote combustion and
good quality. present a serious fine risk when in
contact with certain substance.
Instrumentation in Histotechnology Examples: Sodium iodate, Mercuric
 Microscope oxide, Chromic acid
 Microtome
 Cryostat – use in frozen section (liquid nitrogen)
 Autotechnicon
 Automated coverslipper
 Automated H & E stainer
Hazards and Handling of Common Histological
Chemicals
Acetic Acid
 Can irritate the skin, eyes and respiratory
system.
 1 – 10% dilute solution is relatively safe.
Ammonium Hydroxide
 Should not be mixed with formaldehyde.
 Can be irritating to the respiratory system.
Aniline (Clearing)
 Toxic when absorbs by the skin.
 Can cause severe irritation of the eyes.
 Potential carcinogens.
Chloroform
 Toxic when inhaled or ingested, carcinogenic
and can affect the liver, reproductive organs,
CNs, blood and GIT.
Ethanol
 Irritant in the skin and eyes.
Formaldehyde
 Toxic by inhalation and by ingestion, can cause
severe irritation of the skin and eyes.
Hydrochloric Acid (weak decalcifying solution)
 Can cause severe irritation of the skin, eyes and
respiratory system and is corrosive.
Hydrogen Peroxide
 Essentially harmless if used in concentration
less than 5%.
Methanol
 Moderate skin and eyes irritant, toxic by
ingestion and inhalation.
Nitric Acid
 Corrosive to skin, mucous membrane.
Nitrogen
 (Liquid) can cause frost bite or thermal (cold)
burns.
Osmium Tetroxide
 Corrosive to eyes and mucous membranes.
Periodic Acid
 Relatively safe when used in quantities
prescribed for histology.
Sodium Hypochlorite (liquid chlorine bleach)
 Strong oxidant, eyes irritant and corrosive to
most metals.
Sulfuric Acid
 Strong irritant to skin, eyes and respiratory
system.
Xylene (Clearing agent)
 Skin and eyes irritant and is toxic by ingestion
and inhalation or skin contact.
Zinc Chloride
 Corrosive to most metals including
stainless steel.
 Should not be used in tissue processors.
Quality Management System of
Histopathology Lab
Quality Control
 Is a set of procedure or technical
activities of fulfilling quality
requirements.
Quality Assurance
 It covers all aspects from the receipt of
the request and specimens to the
release of the report.
 Getting the right test at the right time
on the right specimen from the right
patient with right diagnosis and the
right price.
QMS
 Means that the reports generated by
the lab are accurate.
Concern with good sampling
Tissue processing with quality reagents
Providing supplies and equipment
Receiving
Documenting
Validating result
Factors on Effective QMS
 Skilled histotechnologist/nicians
 Proper collection of the specimen
 Proper processing of the specimen
 Efficient processing of the results
 High quality of reagent and equipment
 Preventive maintenance of equipment
 Continuous professional education of
staff
 Documentation and control
 Proper coordination
 Timely customer’s feedback
3 Phases of Examination
 Pre – examination
 Examination
 Post – examination
Pre – Analytical Factor
 Collection of the right specimen
 The proper fixation of the specimen
 The correct identification of the specimen
 The timely transportation of the specimen

Analytical Factor
 Grossing
 Processing
 Procedure reliability using technical – manual
reagent, integrity and efficiency.
 Cutting of paraffin section
 Staining
 Slide labeling

Post – Analytical Factor

 Diagnosis (hard copy) free clerical errors
 Reports reaches the appropriate
clinicians/surgeons
 Filling the paraffin blocks
 Slide storage