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General Submission Guidelines
Requisition Submission
Container Labeling
Specimen Pick-up Preparation
Processing Delay's
Specimen Rejection Causes
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| | PSMG Requisition Submission A Pathology Sciences “Pathology Examination Request” form must be filled out for each patient with pertinent history, clinical data, special tests requested, and the following information: Patient Name Date of Birth Sex Referring Physician Date of Procedure Source/Site Address NOTE:
All Surgical (tissue) specimens taken from one patient, on the same day, should be listed on one requisition and sent in one transport bag. Non-Gynecological specimens taken from one patient, on the same day, should also be listed on one requisition and sent in one transport bag. This allows us to number and track your specimens more efficiently once they are received at PSMG.
When specimens are received with (not previously agreed upon) NON-PSMG requisitions, the clinician will be contacted to insure PSMG was the correct testing facility.
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| | Specimen Container Labeling (2 identifiers) The College of American Pathologists (CAP) has issued new instructions for patient sample identification. All specimens must be labeled with the patient name and at least one of the following second identifiers which are unique to the patient: Date of Birth Hospital Patient Number Social Security Number Requisition Number Accession Number Unique Random Number - Other information, such as gender, source/site, date of procedure, or referring physician may be included, but do not qualify as a second identifier as these are examples of identifiers that are likely to be shared by two patients on the same day. Glass slides may have only one identifier, although two are preferred.
- PSMG couriers are instructed only to pick up specimens displaying two identifiers on the specimen container.
- The primary container (innermost) that actually holds the specimen should have these two identifiers.
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| | Specimen Pick-up Preparation Once the specimen has been placed in the appropriately labeled specimen container and the lid is securely tightened, place the specimen container(s) in the portion of the transport bag with the zip lock top. The requisition, and any other accompanying paperwork, should be placed in the outside, open pocket. | |
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| | Delay in Processing Causes The following specimen discrepancies may result in the specimen being held until confirmation via telephone or fax can be made: - Missing prudent information on requisition (ie Clinician Name, Date of Service)
- Specimen source/type is different from container to requisition.
- Specimen received without an adequate requisition (electronic or paper)
- Empty bottles received.
- Specimens received in an inappropriate fixative (i.e. tissue in SurePath, tissue in saline with no special testing request, etc.).
- Different names on requisitions vs. patient demographic or billing information.
- Use of a NON-PSMG requisition (Pathology Examination Request).
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| | Rejection/Return of Specimen Causes In rare circumstances, a specimen may be returned to the clinician. It is likely that a specimen will be returned for the following reason: - Patient name on the requisition and specimen do NOT match.
- Less than two patient identifiers on the container
- Containers which have leaked enough to possibly compromise or lose the specimen.
- Slides received broken beyond repair
- Specimens received in a condition judged to be biohazardous: fluids in open containers or syringes with uncapped needles attached.
- Specimen received by unauthorized persons under the Calif. Law (specified by Dept of Health & Services).
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| | Please contact us with questions or to request a specimen pick-up. | |
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