NSH Poster Podcast: P46 (2024)

Somagen Method of Alcohol Reagent Tracking (SMART) Optimization to Realize Workflow Efficiencies within the Laboratory-Anne de Wolf, BSc MLT Somagen Diagnostics, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada; Christine Chiu MLT Somagen Diagnostics, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Annie Vallee Somagen Diagnostics, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; James Tang, BSc MLT Somagen Diagnostics, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

Tissue processing in recent decades has changed without subsequent changes to reagent maintenance. Reagent maintenance protocols have been ‘Grandfathered down’ without consideration for the reagent quality and how this is related to tissue types and block numbers processed. The concentration of the last absolute alcohol station needs to be >98 % to effectively remove water from tissue before clearing and paraffin infiltration.1, 2 Using the Eagle Eye Digital hydrometer can provide reagent quality information which could also provide potential downstream efficiencies to laboratory workflow and cost savings in labour and reagents.