Breast-Wire Localization

Breast Wire Localization Specimens

Breast Needle localizations

Fresh excised breast tissue

 Petrie Dish

 Needle Localization  Breast Excisions 

Prior to Surgery, a Radiologist inserts  a needle with a thin flexible hooked wire into a breast mass using imaging techniques to guide the procedure.

Following the Radiology procedure, the patient will be transported to the OR , where the specimen will be collected while the patient is under general anesthetic. The specimen, with the wire still left in place, is  returned to the Imaging department for Xrays to confirm that the area of abnormality has been removed. The specimen is then forwarded to the Pathology Department for further processing and examination.

I.1. The specimen must always be accompanied by a completed Surgical Pathology Requisition (form PATH_6707_0103). 

******Lymph nodes  are submitted routinely in formalin with a separate requisition. Refer to Lab test guide page : Surgical Specimens- Routine
 
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  and the submitting department
(c) Submitting physician's name.
(d) Date of surgery and collection time
(e) Pre- and post-operative presumptive diagnosis.
(f) A brief clinical history.
(g) Specimen information
(i) tissue type (ie. Breast)
(ii) anatomical site (ie. Right side)
(iii) surgical procedure (ie.  needle localization - lumpectomy)

I.2. The petrie dish 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.

(d) Time tissue collected and time tissue is placed into formalin

(e) Orientation details

 If a specimen is known or suspected to contain unique or extreme biohazard (e.g. CJD) the container shall be so marked.

I.3. The OR nurse places the specimen and requisition  in a PINK transport box with a pink tracker slip

1.4 OR notifies Pathology (ext 2456/ 2460)  that a breast specimen has been collected.
 
I.5. The OR attendant transports the pink box, requisition and  pink tracking slip to Mammography

1.6. The OR attendant returns the pink box to the OR

1.7.Mammography completes the pink tracker slip and adds the Radiologist's name to the Surgical Pathology Requisition. The specimen, requisition and tracker slip is placed into the RED transport box

1.8 Mammography calls the  Hospital porter to deliver the Red transport box containing the specimen, requisiton and pink tracker  slip to the Pathology Department - Grossing Room C6.614

1.9 Hospital porter is to inform Histology staff that a specimen has been delivered. Document specimen, name and time on the Pathology Specimen Receipt Log.

2.0 The hospital Porter returns the RED box to Mammography. 

2.1 Pathology staff will notify the OR once they receive the specimen.
 

Monday to Friday

Pathology staff are to open specimens and place into formalin.  Pathology staff will document the ischemic and total formalin fixation time into Meditech.

Check that the  breast biopsy  tracker slip is complete and signed to verify imaging procedures have been performed.

Prior to transport, the petrie dish should be secured with a medical grade tape or suitable alternative to ensure safe delivery of the specimen. Transport ASAP to maintain tissue integrity.