Frozen Section Specimens
Specimens for frozen sections should be sent immediately to Histology. Do not use formalin. Label specimen with Patient name, date of birth and specimen site/source. Complete requisition and include the following:
- Legal first and last name
- Date of Birth
- Medical record identification number or unique identifier
- First initial and last name of person submitting the specimen
- Date and time of collection
- First and last name of surgeon
- Specimen type, including body site and orientation (e.g. right, left, upper, lower, etc…)
Note: Breast needle localized specimens will be taken to radiology for films and then to Pathology for the frozen section.
Tissue Specimens
Specimens should be covered with formalin solution (except for the specimens listed in Table A below) at a ratio of 1:10 (specimen to formalin). Containers should be hard plastic with lids that can be closed securely. Label the container with the patient’s name, date of birth or other unique identifier and specimen site/source. Fill out requisition and include the following information:
- Legal First and Last name
- Date of Birth
- Medical record number or unique identifier
- First initial and last name of person submitting the specimen
- Date and time of collection
- Time specimen was placed in Formalin
- First and last name of surgeon or other provider
- Specimen type, including body site and orientation (e.g. right, left, lower, upper, etc….)
- Specific requests for margins - mark denoting positioning such as in conization
- Pertinent clinical data including clinical history
Place specimen in Biohazard bag and requisition in the outside pocket for delivery to the laboratory.
Table A:
Do not place specimens in formalin if ordering the following:
- Frozen sections
- Chromosome analysis
- Cytology
- Tissue Cultures (Microbiology)
- Electron Microscopy
- Flow Cytometry
- Chemo sensitivity testing
- Muscle biopsies
- Nerve biopsies
- Kidney biopsies