First let’s look at the pitfalls of hand labeling
Significant time to write and match up the correct cassettes and slides
Smudged or messy handwriting can be difficult to decipher, leading to additional time and additional risk of confusion
Errors in writing due to transcription errors are a real risk
Pencil or ink can wash off during processing due to harsh chemicals used
What are the benefits of using an automated cassette or slide printer?
Increased patient safety. Automation and direct connection to an LIS if needed increase the accuracy and helps to reduce errors in mislabeling and sample identification.
A study done by Henry Ford Hospital showed that by using automated cassette or slide printers with On-Demand printing, labeling errors were significantly reduced. (1)
Efficiency. We know that lab staff are busy and sometimes overworked. Vacancy and retirement rates have increased over the last few years, and staff are pressed to do more with less time. (2)
Reduces time required for labeling cassettes and slides
Eliminates interruptions in workflow or the labeling process
Minimizes errors which can leading to costly time to rework
Improved visibility to data. Data in the lab is valuable and often needed for chain of custody tracking. Easy access to this information can help reduce the reporting burden.
Management reporting tools for case volumes, tissue types and other necessary metrics
Workload capacity tool
Individual employee workflow/chain of custody with tech initials added to each cassette or slide
What should I look for and ask about?
Here’s a few things to keep in mind when assessing a slide or cassette printer, and questions to ask when considering the right fit for your lab. Look for a printer that is fast and easy to use, that can not only be easily integrated into your lab processes, but will also improve workflow and efficiency. If purchasing both cassette and slide printers, look for connectivity between all printers.
A small footprint that can fit at any accessioning, grossing or microtomy station to support on-demand printing. Walk through your lab and assess available space to get a better understanding of how much benchtop space is available. Batch printing carries risk; even if your lab isn’t printing on-demand right now, a wise strategy is ensuring the printer you’re acquiring has the ability to do both, allowing you the option to move to on-demand printing in the future
Be sure to ask: What are the dimensions of the printer? Is it designed for on-demand, batch printing, or both?
Multiple hoppers that are easy to remove and install, especially if your lab utilizes multiple cassette or slide types and colors.
Be sure to ask: How many hoppers are available? Can additional hoppers be purchased separately and stored with alternate types of cassettes ready to go? Can you print one cassette or slide of a different type or color without having to change out a hopper? Can slides or cassettes be loaded during printing, or does the printer need to be stopped and/or opened?
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High print quality and excellent scannability. A high-contrast print provides the best scannability, and there are many factors that impact print quality.
Be sure to ask: What was the scan rate of the printer during product testing? (This information should be readily accessible by vendors.) What cassettes are validated on the printer? What colors and types are available? If you’re looking at a thermal transfer cassette printer, ask what precautions are taken to ensure the print doesn’t melt during paraffin trimming. If you’re assessing a laser printer, ask (and test) how durable the laser print is when used with decalcifiers. Decalcifiers can remove laser printing (but not thermal prints), and the quality of the cassettes used is an important factor.
Flexible and supported connectivity. A printer should have the ability to be used with or without an LIS connection, depending on your lab setup. Most printers on the market today have the ability to connect to various LIS systems, but there’s a variety of ways that printers can be used and connected in the lab, and the level of difficulty in connection varies by printer.
Be sure to ask: How easily do they connect to an LIS system? Ask whether your specific LIS is proven to quickly integrate with the printer you’re looking at acquiring. Is middleware required for LIS connectivity? Is a separate computer/workstation required for each printer? Will the vendor provide support to work with your LIS company and IT team to integrate? What options are available if you don’t use an LIS? Can barcode scanning still be utilized without connecting to an LIS?
Fast printing. You don’t want to be waiting for cassettes or slides to print.
Be sure to ask: How many seconds does each cassette or slide take to print? How quickly will the first cassette in a case be available?
Maintenance, service and support. Look for a supported printer with little maintenance.
Be sure to ask: Is there a service agreement available? How much is it? What’s included? How fast is service performed? What’s included in the manufacturer warranty? What ongoing maintenance is needed for the printer? How much support will be provided to help install and integrate the printer?
Ease of label template design with a high character count that meets your needs. Making updates to templates doesn’t happen frequently, but when needed, ensure you have easy access, and that the templates accommodate the information you need on the face of the cassettes.
Be sure to ask: What is the maximum character count? (ensure that it is enough to meet your needs) Is a separate computer or screen required for each cassette printer? What happens when a change is needed? Do you need vendor support or are changes easy to make?
Workflow management capabilities. Printers can gather important data to track chain of custody.
Be sure to ask: What tracking is available?
Low total cost of ownership. Calculate the total of any consumables (ribbon, filters, cassettes), annual service, and the cost of the printer, and divide by the expected lifetime of the printer—typically 5-7 years. You might be surprised at the difference between various vendors and printer types. We’ve found that thermal transfer printers provide the best value over the lifetime of the instrument, even with the cost of occasional ribbon changes.
Be sure to ask: What ancillary equipment is available or needed? This could include ribbon, hopper, hopper rack, or cassette collection tray.
(1) Zarbo, R.J. et al. () The henry ford production system: Reduction of surgical pathology in-process misidentification defects by bar code–Specified work process standardization, OUP Academic. Available at: https://academic.oup.com/ajcp/
(2) https://www.nsh.org/about/advocacy/histotech-workforce-shortages
Are you tired of spending hours hand labeling tissue cassettes in your lab? Or perhaps, you’re looking for a more efficient way to print detailed information on them. In either case, a tissue cassette laser printer could be the solution to your problems. These specialized printers are designed specifically for printing on the small, rectangular plastic cassettes used for holding tissue samples during processing and storage. They provide clear and precise labels that help with organization and tracking in the lab. But with so many options available, it can be overwhelming to choose the right one for your specific needs. In this blog post, we will discuss everything you need to know about selecting a tissue cassette laser printer for your lab including key factors to consider, top brands in the market, and recommended models based on budget and features. So read on as we guide you through this important decision-making process!
In the world of laboratory research, efficiency is key. That's why tissue cassette laser printers have become a crucial tool for pathologists and lab technicians alike. These printers are specifically designed with precision construction to ensure jam-free cassette printing, saving time and increasing productivity. Additionally, the laser cassette printer can easily integrate into Laboratory Information Systems (LIS/LIM) for seamless data transfer and enhanced accuracy. By investing in tissue cassette laser printers, labs can streamline their workflows and improve the quality of their research, making it a valuable addition to any laboratory environment.
When it comes to finding a high-quality tissue cassette laser printer, there are a few key features to look out for. One of these is the cassette capacity, with 6 cassette magazines being the ideal number to hold up to 450 pieces of cassettes. This ensures that you can process a large number of patient samples without constant loading and unloading of the printer. Additionally, other important features include the level of precision in printing, the speed of printing, and the durability of the printer. By paying attention to these factors, you can be confident in selecting a tissue cassette printer that will meet your laboratory's needs and provide high-quality results every time.
When it comes to labeling tissue cassettes in labs, accuracy and efficiency are crucial. Investing in the right tissue cassette laser printer is a game-changer for ensuring precise labeling. With patented-designed software systems that enable high-resolution and high-content, the cassette printer histology makes the labeling process fast and easy. The precision of these machines guarantees that patient samples are traceable at all times, which is pivotal to any laboratory research or testing. Investing in a top-notch tissue cassette laser printer is not just a smart financial decision, it is a necessary step in achieving accurate labeling every time.
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