Additional Specimen Collection Information

 All specimens for surgical pathology consultation must be labeled with patient name, identification number (patient ID number), physician, specimen source, date and time of collection. Affix label to specimen container (not the lid). Unlabeled specimens will be rejected and returned to surgery, the floor or physician office for identification and correct labeling.

Frozen Section:

Fresh (unfixed) tissue obtained by surgeon and sent immediately to the laboratory for examination by the pathologist.

Surgical Pathology Specimen (Inpatient):

•   All properly labeled specimens must be accompanied by either a computer requester copy of Surgical Pathology request or a green surgical pathology sheet. The following information must be included: patient name and identification number (medical record number), age/date of birth and attending physician/surgeon. other pertinent information to be included: type of specimen, pertinent history and previous pathology diagnosis, pre-op diagnosis and other physicians to whom a report is to be sent. 
• Submit routine tissue specimen completely coverd in 10% Formalin. Call the laboratory for instructions for special studies that may require fresh, unfixed tissue. Specimens too large to fix are to be brought to the Pathology Laboratory immediately. Specimens too large to fix such as limbs and placentas, are to be brought to the laboratory immediately and a laboratory staff member notified. Nontissue specimens (teeth, foreign bodies, orthopedic hardware, etc.) are also covered with formalin if they contain attached tissue fragments or are otherwise subject to decomposition. Under no circumstances are unfixed specimens to be left in the laboratory without notifying a laboratory staff member. Directions for handling of other specifiec tissue can be found below.

Surgical Pathology Specimen (outpatient):

• Tissue specimens must be completely covered with 10% formalin unless other arrangements have been made. Specimen bottles containing 10% formalin and identification labels are obtained from physician/clinic laboratory or the Pathology Department at MercyOne.
• Label the specimen as described above. Unlabeled specimens will be rejected and returned to the submitting office for identification and proper labeling.
• Place the specimen container in a biohazard bag.
• Place the completed Outpatient Request Rorm including the name of the person who completed the requisition and insurance information in the outside pocket of the biohazard transport bag.
• Transport to the laboratory by MercyOne courier.

 Renal Tissue Biopsy:

Renal biopsy specimen obtained by percutaneous needle biopsy or open wedge biopsy and sent fresh on saline-saturated gauze. Call UIDL (866)844-2522 when transporting a specimen on a Friday or holiday before sending. All specimens must be packaged with the completed UIDL Anatomic Pathology Consult Requisition and patient insurance information.

Skin Biopsy:

Place the specimen in Michel's Media and transport to UIDL by Central Delivery Service of Iowa (CDS). Call UIDL (866)844-2522 when transporting a specimen on a Friday or holiday before sending. All specimens must be packaged with the completed UIDL Anatomic Pathology Consult Requisition and patient insurance information.