TISSUE ARCHIVING
testament to the ethical complexities and advancements in medical science. Henrietta Lacks’ unwitting contribution to science highlighted the need for informed consent and ethical guidelines in the handling of human tissue, furthered by the organ retention scandals that ultimately led to pivotal legislative reforms.
CellNass, a repository of archived tissue blocks and slides.
shade of blue with the words ‘CellNass’ emblazoned on the side in stark white letters. Many people drive pass this building every day, but not many know of its significance. Inside there are millions of slides and blocks carefully archived from hundreds of hospitals and laboratories across the UK. CellNass is proud to be a leading
provider of pathology archive management solutions, dedicated to revolutionising the way medical institutions manage their pathology specimens and data. With a commitment to precision, security and innovation, CellNass offers comprehensive services tailored to the unique needs of pathology laboratories and healthcare facilities. Leveraging cutting-edge technology and industry expertise, CellNass specialises in the storage of pathology archives, ensuring easy accessibility to critical samples and data for medical research, diagnosis and education. Through its state-of-the-art facilities and advanced processes, CellNass empowers healthcare professionals to streamline their workflow, enhance efficiency, and ultimately improve patient care. Given its extensive size and scope, CellNass could arguably be considered the largest archival repository in Europe, and perhaps even globally. When you step inside CellNass, you soon come to realise that innovation meets excellence in archive management. CellNass was initially crafted to preserve the intricate landscape of cellular pathology blocks and slides. However, its evolution over recent years has seen it transcend this, now embracing a diverse array of disciplines. From blood spot cards to transfusion records, from documents to paper reports, CellNass offers an holistic archive management solution tailored for hospitals and laboratories facing the challenges of
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limited on-site storage space. What sets CellNass apart is not just its
breadth of offerings, but its unwavering commitment to safety and compliance. Licensed by the HTA and subject to meticulous inspection programmes, CellNass ensures a secure environment that meets the highest standards of archiving for cellular pathology samples. This licensure guarantees full auditability, with the latest audits readily accessible on the HTA website. Medical professionals can be assured that samples are stored in a secure and tightly controlled facility, offering peace of mind. But CellNass is more than just a storage facility – it’s a testament to continual innovation and dedication. Continued investment in technology and facilities, coupled with a team of seasoned professionals boasting expertise in both pathology and logistics, ensures that it really understands its clients’ needs. Whether it’s transporting and archiving large volumes of material or providing seamless retrieval services, the process is smooth and hassle-free.
Utilising CellNass brings with it a multitude of benefits. Not only is it possible to reclaim valuable space within hospital premises for other essential functions, but the burden of managing an onsite archiving facility is also removed. With a dedicated archiving environment and proprietary CellTrak archive management system, customers gain full traceability and effortless retrieval of individual items – no more sifting through endless shelves.
Summary From the groundbreaking story of Henrietta Lacks and the immortal HeLa cell line to the establishment of robust regulatory frameworks, the journey of tissue retention has been a
However, despite these regulatory milestones, challenges persist in the practical implementation of tissue archiving, particularly for hospitals and laboratories faced with the logistical constraints of on-site storage for paraffin blocks and slides. The delicate balance between preserving valuable specimens for research and diagnostic purposes while navigating limited storage capacities underscores the urgent need for innovative solutions. As we reflect on the development and significance of tissue retention, it becomes evident that the ethical preservation of human tissue is not merely a scientific endeavour but a moral imperative. By embracing advancements in technology and regulatory frameworks, while also prioritising ethical considerations, we can honour the legacies of individuals like Henrietta Lacks and propel medical science forward with integrity and compassion. In doing so, we pave the way for a future where the invaluable contributions of tissue donors are respected and cherished, inspiring generations to come in the pursuit of knowledge and healing. From history we have learned that
archiving is paramount, and it must be both secure and accessible, ensuring that samples remain available for further study as technology progresses. With billions of specimens archived, each one represents an individual who may have undergone routine sampling or biopsy for various medical conditions. These samples span a wide range of ailments and diseases, from minor to severe. Remarkably, specimens from patients over a century ago can still be retrieved, studied, and contribute to medical research advancements. What unites these specimens is their inherent value for research; they are preserved in facilities worldwide, ready to be accessed by doctors and pathologists precisely when needed.
Lauraline Winter is Marketing Content Manager at CellPath. 01686 611 333
info@cellpath.com
www.cellpath.com
For more information on CellNass, visit the website.
www.cellnass.com
FEBRUARY 2025
WWW.PATHOLOGYINPRACTICE.COM
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