Specimen Handling

Histology Direct #: 863.577.1147
After Hours Emergency: 863.687.1322 & have pathologist on call paged.

Specimen Labeling and Submission Requirements

• Each specimen container must include 2 unique patient identifiers (name, date of birth, clinic/medical record number, etc....)
• Each requisition must include patient's name, physician's name, insurance information, specimen site, and any pertinent clinical history.
• Each requisition must clearly indicate test requested.

Biopsies for Routine Histology:

All biopsies for routine histology should be placed in 10% formalin

• Specimens and requisition are to be placed into plastic biohazard bag, logged into specimen book and placed in pick-up area for courier.
• A MicroPath courier will pick-up specimens throughout the day.

For RUSH histology specimens, do as instructed above adding RUSH or STAT to the requisition. Place specimen in pick-up area and courier will pick up on next run. There is no need for a STAT pick-up.

Biopsies for Frozen Sections:

• Soak a piece of gauze with saline and place biopsy onto gauze.
• Fold gauze over and place into empty specimen or urine container.
• Clearly indicate on the requisition a telephone number at which the pathologist can reach the physician.
• Place specimen and requisition into a plastic biohazard bag, log into specimen book and place specimen in the refrigerator awaiting the arrival of the courier.
• Call MicroPath and notify them you have a frozen section for a STAT pick up. A courier will be dispatched immediately.

Specimens for Flow Cytometry:

If you are aware the physician will need flow cytometry on a patient prior to the procedure, please notify MicroPath of the date and time.

Bone Marrow / Peripheral Blood

• Bone marrow and peripheral blood collected for flow cytometry (should be submitted) in a lavender top tube.
• Any blood smears should be clearly labeled with the patient's name and date.
• Collect bone marrow and peripheral blood for cytogenetics in a green tube top.
• A MicroPath requisition is to be filled out for each patient and must include patient's full name, date of birth, physician's name, insurance information, specimen site and any pertinent clinical history available. IMPORTANT - include a CBC with Diff and retic count.
• Specimens and requisition are to be placed into plastic biohazard bag, logged into specimen book and placed in pick-up area for courier.

Tissue/FNA

• Soak a piece of gauze with saline and place biopsy onto gauze. Fold gauze over and place into empty specimen or urine container OR Place specimen in fresh RPMI -1640 (with L-glutamine solution).
• Fill out MicroPath requisition with patient's full name, date of birth, physician's name, insurance information, specimen site and clinical history.
• Indicate on the requisition that the specimen is for "FLOW CYTOMETRY."
• Place specimen and requisition into a plastic biohazard bag, log into specimen book and place specimen in the refrigerator awaiting the arrival of the courier.
• Call MicroPath and notify them you have a specimen for flow cytometry and need a STAT pick up. A courier will be dispatched immediately.

Fluids

• Place the sealed container holding the aspirated fluid on a cold pack.
• Fill out MicroPath requisition with patient's full name, physician's name, date of birth, insurance information, specimen site and clinical history.
• Indicate on the requisition that the specimen is for "FLOW CYTOMETRY."
• Place specimen and requisition into a plastic biohazard bag, log into specimen book and place specimen in the refrigerator awaiting the arrival of the courier.
• Call MicroPath and notify them you have a specimen for flow cytometry and need a STAT pick up. A courier will be dispatched immediately.

Brushings for Cytology and/or Fungus:

• Label 2 slides with pencil including the patient name and medical record number.
• Please do not use paper labels; label the frosted or white end of the slides.
• Designate between more than one specimen with A, B, 1, 2, Rt., Lt., etc...
• Brush specimen on slides and spray slides with cytology fixative.
• Place slides in cardboard slide holder.
• Fill out MicroPath requisition with patient name, physician's name, insurance information, specimen site and clinical history.
• Place slides and requisition into a plastic biohazard bag, log into specimen book and place in specimen pick-up area to await courier.

In the event you have a biopsy and slides, one requisition is adequate as long as both tests are indicated and requisition contains appropriate information for both specimens.

For RUSH cytology specimens, do as instructed above adding RUSH or STAT to the requisition. Place specimen in pick-up area and courier will pick up on next run. There is no need for a STAT pick-up.

Biopsies for Bone Marrow:

• Submit all bone marrow specimens for routine pathology processing in IBF fixative.
• Very important- record the time the specimen was placed in IBF fixative.
• Bone marrow and peripheral blood collected for flow cytometry (should be submitted) in a lavender top tube.
• Any blood smears should be clearly labeled with the patient's name and date.
• Collect bone marrow and peripheral blood for cytogenetics in a green tube top.
• Specimens and requisition are to be placed into plastic biohazard bag, logged into specimen book and placed in pick-up area for courier.

Biopsies for Human Papilloma Virus (HPV):

• Specimen should be collected as a routine Thin Prep and submitted for either Thin Prep with HPV, Thin Prep with Reflex to HPV or HPV alone.
• Indicate on requisition the preferred test.
• Specimen, along with requisition, should be placed in appropriate biohazzard transport bag.

UroVysion™ (Kit supplied by MicroPath):

• Urine specimen should be collected in blue capped urine container. A minimum of 30cc of urine is required. If urine exceeds 60cc, pour off excess.
• Pour entire contents of PreservCyt vial into urine specimen. Discard empty vial.
• Place blue lid on specimen container tightly.
• Specimen, along with requisition, should then be placed in appropriate biohazard transport bag.

Flourescent In-Situ Hybridization (FISH):

• Cut 4 micron, paraffin sections on positively charged slides (1 section per slide).
• Submit 3 slides per test
• Indicate appropriate tests on request form
• Send slides and requisition to the attention of MicroPath Histology Department

OR

• Submit paraffin block with appropriate requisition to the attention of MicroPath Histology Department

OR

• A wet tissue specimen submitted in 10% formalin for routine histology and FISH
• Indicate appropriate tests on requisition
• Specimen, along with requisition, should then be placed in appropriate biohazard transport bag.

All other procedures such as:

• Electron Microscopy
• Muscle Biopsy
• Nerve Biopsy
• • Call MicroPath Histology Department as soon as possible, 863.683.7171
  • Keep specimen in its FRESH state
  • Submit properly labeled specimen with completed requisition form
  • Container should have a tight fitting lid and specimen, along with requisition, should be then be placed in appropriate biohazard transport bag
  • Store in the refrigerator until specimen is picked up for transportation by courier to MicroPath Laboratories

If questions arise concerning the submission of specimens to MicroPath Laboratories, Inc. feel free to contact Sheila or Karen at (863-577-1147).