Placenta

A delivered placenta. Pathologic examination is requested with certain indications such as neonatal death, stillbirth, twins, suspected and or confirmed SGA (small for gestational age), concerns over the well-being of the baby and any visible abnormalities of the placenta and fetus.

I.1. All specimens must be accompanied by a completed Surgical Pathology Requisition (form PATH_6707_0103).

The following information is required on the requisition, clearly written in ink:
(a) Patient identifiers
(i) patient's first and last name
(ii) unique number
(iii) date of birth
(iv) Ontario Health Insurance Number with version code.
(b) Submitting area identifiers: Hospital site (BGH or The Willett) and the submitting department 
(c) Submitting physician's name and other doctors to whom reports should be sent.
(d) Date of surgery ( date and time of delivery)
(e) Pre- and post-operative presumptive diagnosis.
(f) A brief clinical history.
(g) Specimen information

(h) Gestational age
 (i) tissue type 
(ii) anatomical site 
(iii) surgical procedure 
 
I.2. The specimen container must be labeled. Addressograph labels are preferred, otherwise the following information must be provided, clearly written in ink:
(a) Minimum of 2 Patient identifiers
(i) patient's full name and.......
(ii) unique number
(iii) Date of birth,

(iv) OHIN
(b) Date of surgery.
(c) Specimen name, anatomic site and surgical procedure, as it is written on the Surgical Pathology Requisition.
This information must be recorded on the side of the specimen container and not the lid.
If a specimen is known or suspected to contain unique or extreme biohazard (e.g. CJD) the container shall be so marked.

I.3. Deliver the fresh placenta to the lab triage area promptly

Monday to Friday

Fresh specimens must be delivered to the lab promptly and stored in the fridge until a  staff member can attend to the specimen. Formalin is to be added as soon as possible for routine Pathology.