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Assisting Physicians in the care and treatment of their patients for 40 years.
MICRO PATH LABORATORIES
HISTOLOGY
SPECIMEN COLLECTION GUIDELINES
PURPOSE:
To
establish guidelines for the appropriate method of collecting and handling
specimens.
In order to ensure optimal diagnosis of tissue specimens submitted for
pathological evaluation, proper handling of the tissue specimen is very
important.
Fixation of the tissue specimen is the most critical step in tissue processing
to obtain diagnosis. Once the specimen is obtained, it is critical that fixation
take place as soon as possible, if not immediately. The various testing ordered,
and the type of tissue obtained, dictates what type of fixation or fixative
solution is used. Any questions, call Micro Path 683-7171.
POLICY:
All specimens shall be submitted to
Micro Path in the appropriate container, and/or fixative in accordance with the
following procedure. All specimens that do not meet the criteria will be
rejected.
Micro Path Laboratory will only accept specimens from health care practitioners
licensed to practice medicine by the state in which the specimen was collected.
PROCEDURE:
1. Follow universal precautions when collecting or handling all specimens.
2. Clarify with the physician as to the proper preparation of all specimens.
3. Place specimens in proper size fixative filled containers. Fixative solution should completely cover the specimen.
4. Affix a patient label to each specimen container and/or bag. The label should include:
A. Patient’s name
B. Date
C. Contents, identify alphabetically
D. Physician’s name
5. Complete the appropriate requisition form.
6. Specimens will be picked up by a courier and transported to
Micro Path Laboratories.
ROUTINE TISSUE SPECIMENS:
1. Submit all tissue specimens for routine pathology processing in 10% neutral buffered formalin.
2. Refer to guidelines for submitting specimens as listed above.
BONE MARROW SPECIMENS:
1. Submit all bone marrow specimens for routine pathology processing in IBF fixative.
2. Very important — record the time the specimen was put in IBF fixative.
3. Bone marrow and peripheral blood collected for flow cytometry in a lavender top vial.
4. Any blood smears should be clearly labeled with the patient’s name and date.
5. Refer to guidelines for submitting specimens on page one.
6. Collect bone marrow and peripheral blood for cytogenetics in a green top tube.
FROZEN SECTIONS:
1. Frozen sections are normally scheduled previous to the date they are to be performed. This can be done by calling Micro Path histology Department at 863- 683-7 171.
2. On the day the frozen section is to be performed, notify Micro Path, at the above number, between 20 minutes to one hour; depending upon location of the facility; prior to needing a pathologist.
3. Very important — tissue must be submitted in its FRESH state, properly labeled and identified. It must be brought to the designated frozen section room and handed to the pathologist.
4. A pathologist can be reached after hours through the Physician’s Answering Service — 863-687-1212.
FINE NEEDLE ASPIRATIONS:
1. Needle aspirations should be in a container labeled with the patient’s name, the date and the site of the aspiration.
2. The container should be securely fastened. A capped syringe is acceptable as long as the needle has been removed. To ensure all aspirate material is collected, the needle should be flushed with Saccomanno or cytolyte fixative. Additional Saccomanno or cytolyte may be added to achieve a 4:1 ratio of aspirate to fixative. If no Saccomanno or cytolyte is available, 70% alcohol can be substituted.
3. Aspirate smears should be labeled with the patient’s name, the date and site of aspiration and spray-fixed or placed in 95% alcohol.
4. Refer to Guidelines for Submitted Specimens on page one.
FLOW CYTOMETRY:
1. Place specimen in RPMI or saline moistened gauze. For fine needle aspirations, rinse the needle in 2 ml of RPMI or saline.
2. Call Micro Path Histology Department as soon as possible, 863-683-7171.
3. Submit properly labeled and identified with completed requisition form.
4. Store in the refrigerator until specimen is transported by courier to Micro Path Laboratories.
DEMONSTRATION OF GOUT (URIC ACID
CRYSTALS)
1. Place in 100% alcohol or keep fresh and refrigerate.
2. Note on the requisition form — rule out gout.
ALL OTHER PROCEDURES SUCH AS:
v Electron microscopy
v Muscle biopsy
v
Nerve biopsy
1. Call Micro Path Histology Department as soon as possible, 863-683-7171.
2. Keep specimen in its FRESH state.
3. Submit properly labeled and identified with completed requisition form.
4. Store in the refrigerator until specimen is transported by courier to Micro Path.