At our facility, when we're finished embedding, once a week we put our molds
into the processor prior to running it's clean cycle.  That way the solvents
are enclosed and none of our plumbing gets plugged.  All we have to do is
put mold release on them and we're ready to go.

Kathy Johnston
Tech II - Special Stains
Anatomic Pathology - Foothills Medical Center
Calgary Laboratory Services
Ph - 403-670-4760
Fax - 403-270-4093
kathy.johnston@cls.ab.ca


-----Original Message-----
From: Carol Brown [mailto:BrownCm@brandonrha.mb.ca]
Sent: Wednesday, February 27, 2002 7:45 AM
To: 'HistoNet Server'
Cc: Neff, Faye
Subject: Cleaning of metal Base molds


Our facility has, over the years, varied the process in which we clean our
base molds.  We have most recently been avoiding the use of xylene or it's
substitutes do to the odor and, upon subsequent washing, is hard on the
plastic plumbing and rubber washers is the washer that we use.
Since we no longer use a paraffin solvent prior to washing our dishwasher is
plugging up due to the solidification of paraffin.
How do other facilities remove the paraffin from their metal base molds and
have them clean for the next use?
Thanks in advance for your assistance.

Carol Brown
Technical Administrator
Westman Regional Laboratory
Phone-204-726-2549
Fax 204-725-0259