|
|
 |
Biopsy Submission Guidelines
|
| | PSMG accepts specimens from physicians, podiatrists, qualified nurse practitioners, osteopaths, dentists and chiropractors. Other individuals wishing to submit tissue for analysis should contact their health care provider. | |
|
| |
We provide our clients with prefilled containers of 10% Neutral Buffered Formalin. Formalin is the most commonly used fixative in Histopathology. Formalin should be used for tissues and not for fluids or pap smears. Formalin preserves the best when the ratio of Formalin to tissue is 20:1. This guideline should help you to choose the most appropriate container size for your specimen. For most biopsies, the 1 oz container is sufficient.
| |
|
| | DO NOT place the following list in Formalin. Special arrangements are needed for these special tests/studies:
Frozen Sections – BEFORE PATHOLOGIST EXAMINATION
Urologic Stones for Chemical Analysis (hospital send out; otherwise, we will forward the stones to an outside laboratory for you)
Flow Cytometry
Electron Microscopy
Immunofluorescence testing
Gout tissue – Must be submitted in 100% reagent alcohol. | |
|
| | If lymphoma (or leukemia) is a primary diagnostic consideration, special diagnostic procedures may be helpful, some of which require fresh tissue. Please call in advance if this is the case and we will help make arrangements for these tests.
The specimen bottle must be labeled with the following information:
- Patient Name
- Date of Birth
- Date of Surgery
- Source/Site
- Referring Physician
The specimen must be accompanied by a PSMG "Pathology Examination Request", or requisition form. In addition to the demographics above, this form should include any clinical data which is relevant to the case. Please remember to include the name(s) of the doctor or other professional medical services provider where indicated.
All surgical tissue specimens taken from one patient, on the same day, should be listed on one requisition and sent in one transport bag.
If you do not regularly receive pick-up service from us, contact us for pick-up. | |
|
| | Formalin is not allowed in the municipal waste system. If you have bottles which have expired, please returned them to us via a PSMG courier and we will dispose of it for you. A MSDS (Material Data Safety Sheet), that provides health information, as well as, information regarding the manufacturer and emergency treatment is available upon request. Formalin can irritate the mucous membranes of the eyes, nose, and throat and is most commonly noticed by either a burning sensation or a pungent smell. For this reason, we recommend only removing the lid when you are ready to place a specimen in the jar and tightly closing it immediately.
Should you accidently spill a container of Formalin, absorb it with paper towels and discard it in a covered waste receptacle. Pads, granules and sprays are available for neutralizing any spilled Formalin and are highly recommended. They are available from American Mastertech (www.americanmastertech.com 1-800-860-4073) or Lab Safety and Supply (www.labsafety.com 1-800-356-0783.) | |
|
| |
|
|
|
