Surgical Specimens- Routine

Excised tissues  such as Appendix, Bladder, Bone, Breast biopsy, Cervix, Colon, Cyst, Soft tissue, Endometrium, Fallopian tube, Fascia, Foreskin, Gallbladder, Hemorrhoids, Hernia sac, Hydrocele, Kidney, Lesions, Lipoma, Liver, Lung, Ovary, Pilonidal Sinus, Polyps, Prostate, Salivary Gland, Skin, Spermatocele, Spleen, Temporal arteries, Testis, Thyroid, Tonsil/Adenoid, Uterus, Varicose Vein, Vas deferens

I.1. All specimens must be accompanied by a completed Surgical Pathology Requisition (PATH_0607_0103) which can be ordered through RR.Donnely

The following information is required on the requisition, Addressograph for patient identifiers or 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, Willett or West Haldimand) and the submitting department (Emergency, Ambulatory Care etc.).
(c) Submitting physician's name.
(d) Date of surgery

(e) Collection time
(f) Pre- and post-operative presumptive diagnosis.
(g) A brief clinical history.
(h) Specimen information
(i) tissue type (ie. hernia)
(ii) anatomical site (ie. Right side)
(iii) surgical procedure (ie. colonoscopy)

I.2. The specimen container must be labeled. Addressograph labels are preferred, otherwise the following information must be provided, clearly written in ink:
(a) A minimum of two patient identifiers 
(i) patient's full name and....
(ii) unique number
(iii) OHIN

(iv) DOB
(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. Routine surgical specimens must be placed in 10% Neutral Buffered Formalin (10%NBF) for fixation. Specimens must be placed in an appropriate sized container with an amount of formalin equal to or greater than fifteen times the volume of tissue.  Specimens are not to be submitted on woven gauze material due to the risk of potential specimen loss

I.4. Place smaller specimen containers in a biohazard bag. The surgical requisition should be placed in the outer pouch of the biohazard bag.
Larger specimen containers, with their Surgical Pathology requisitions, should be transported in a manner that would facilitate spill containment should the container open during transport.

I.5. Transport the specimen containers to the Laboratory Triage Department.

      (Routine OR specimens are held in the utility room located on Lower Level 1 for pick            up by Pathology staff)

I.6. Inform Laboratory staff that you have delivered a specimen or specimens.

Monday to Friday excluding stat holidays

Routine specimens should arrive to the laboratory in formalin. Specimens in formalin may be stored at room temperature.

If specimens are sent fresh, they must be delivered to the laboratory ASAP. Once confirmed that no special handling is required, formalin should be immediately added to the specimen to prevent specimen degradation.  If delays are anticipated, place the specimen into the refrigerator until the formalin can be added.