What is Controlled Storage?
Controlled storage refers to the regulated conditions under which histological specimens, reagents, and materials are stored to maintain their integrity and ensure accurate analysis. This involves maintaining specific
temperature,
humidity, and other environmental factors to prevent degradation or contamination.
Why is Controlled Storage Important in Histology?
In histology, maintaining the quality of
tissue samples and reagents is crucial for producing reliable and reproducible results.
Degradation of samples can lead to inaccurate diagnoses, compromised research findings, and wasted resources. Controlled storage ensures that samples remain in optimal condition from the time of collection until analysis.
Temperature Control: Most biological samples need to be stored at specific temperatures, often in refrigerators or freezers. For instance, formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissues are typically stored at room temperature, while frozen tissues require ultra-low temperatures.
Humidity Control: Maintaining appropriate humidity levels prevents the growth of mold and other microorganisms that can contaminate samples. Desiccators and humidity-controlled cabinets are often used.
Light Protection: Exposure to light can degrade certain histological reagents and samples. Storage in dark or opaque containers helps preserve their integrity.
Proper Labeling and Organization: Clear labeling and systematic organization prevent mix-ups and ensure that samples can be easily retrieved when needed.
Fresh Tissues: These are typically stored in a refrigerator at 4°C for short-term storage or snap-frozen in liquid nitrogen for long-term storage.
FFPE Tissues: Stored at room temperature in dry conditions to prevent moisture damage.
Cryostat Sections: Stored in airtight containers at -20°C to -80°C to prevent ice crystal formation and sample degradation.
Reagents and Stains: Specific storage requirements vary; for example, some stains need to be refrigerated, while others are stable at room temperature.
Equipment Maintenance: Regular monitoring and maintenance of storage equipment like refrigerators, freezers, and humidity controls are essential to prevent malfunctions.
Power Outages: Uninterrupted power supply is critical to maintain storage conditions. Backup generators and uninterruptible power supplies (UPS) are often used as safeguards.
Human Error: Proper training and adherence to protocols are necessary to minimize the risk of human errors in handling and storing samples.
Regular Training: Ensuring that all personnel are well-trained in the proper handling and storage of samples and reagents.
Inventory Management Systems: Implementing digital systems to track sample locations, storage conditions, and expiry dates to minimize errors.
Advanced Monitoring Systems: Using sensors and automated monitoring systems to continuously track storage conditions and alert personnel to any deviations.
Redundancy Plans: Establishing backup plans for equipment failures or power outages to ensure that storage conditions are maintained at all times.
