Lymph Node Protocol

Flow Cytometry

Immunophenotyping

Cell Markers

An excised lymph node

Send Lymph node fresh in a dry sterile container.

Additional samples for routine Pathology are submitted in formalin

I.1. Inform Pathology staff ext 2460 regarding the need for lymph node protocol processing prior to the surgery if possible

1.2 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 (OR, Ambulatory Care etc.).
(c) Submitting physician's name.
(d) Date of surgery
(e) Pre- and post-operative presumptive diagnosis.
(f) A brief clinical history.
(g) Specimen information - Ensure all specimens are documented ( both fresh and fixed)
(i) tissue type 
(ii) anatomical site (ie. Right side)
(iii) surgical procedure 
 
I.3. 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.4.  Fresh tissue specimens must be placed in a dry sterile container. For scant specimens or if a delay in processing is anticipated, the tissue must be placed in gauze moistened with normal sterile saline to prevent drying.

1.5 Additional Tissue for routine Pathology will be submitted in separate specimen container with formalin. Ensure that both specimens are documented on the surgical requisition 
 
I.6. Place the smaller specimen container(s) in a biohazard bag. The surgical requisition should be placed in the outer pouch of the biohazard bag.
 
I.7  Notify the Pathology department ( ext 2460/2456)  that the lymph node is on route to the lab for lymph node protocol. Do not leave a voicemail

I.8. Transport the specimen directly  to the Grossing Room in the Department of Anatomical Pathology. Room C6.614

I.9. Inform histology staff that you have delivered a specimen(s) and log your name and date on the specimen receipt log
 
I.10. After hours: Fresh specimens should be delivered to the Lab triage area, where they will be refrigerated until processed by Pathology staff the following business day. It is recommended that that lymph node protocols are not collected at end of day. Do not collect late Friday afternoons as this negatively impacts specimen viability and will be included on the final report

Monday to Friday.

Send specimens to lab by 1330 hours for the specimen to be sent to the referral testing site for  same day processing. Specimens sent after this time will be held till the following day. 

Fresh specimens must be stored in the fridge until a histology staff member can attend to the specimen