Specimen Requirements

Specimen must arrive as soon as possible after collection.
Specimen source is required.

Specimen Type: Tissue
Container/Tube: Prefilled Formalin Container or Appropriate Specimen Container
Specimen Volume: Entire Collection

Volume of Fixative: Specimens that can be fully submerged with the optimal amount of formalin (approximate specimen to formalin volume of 10:1) can go into the prefilled formalin containers.  Larger tissue resections requiring formalin should be placed in a specimen container that allows for formalin to be poured over in at least a 4:1 ratio.
Fixative Requirement: Varies- Most Specimens Will Require Formalin.  Exceptions are listed below.
Specimens to be Sent Fresh (No Fixative) Note: No fixative means not to place any specimen in any solution; however, saline dampened gauze may be used to prevent drying out of specimen if it is small and drying is a concern.
Iliac Crest Biopsy, Renal/Urethral Caliculi, Muscle Biopsy, Specimens Being Tested for Crystal Analysis, Specimens Being Submitted for Frozen Section (see test catalog for more information), and/or Limbs
Specimens Requiring Fixatives Other than Formalin
Specimen Being Submitted for Suspected Lymphoma (East: Hanks) (West: RPMI)  Note:  Specimens suspected for Lymphoma may also be delivered to the lab fresh where trained lab personnel will separate some tissue for flow in the gross lab.
Products of Conception- POC (East: Formalin) (West: Hanks)
Specimen for DIF/CIF- (All Regions: Michel’s Media)

Preparation of Specimen:  All primary specimen containers must be labeled with at least two patient identifiers, date and time of collection, collector’s name and specimen source.   An Epic generated label is preferred.  Identifiers that are considered acceptable are as follows:  patient name (first and last), date of birth, MRN.  Once the specimen is collected, confirm that the specimen is present in the container.  Specimen labels should always be placed on the side of the container, never on top of the lid.  Ensure the correct label is on each type of specimen if there are multiple specimens.  Prior to transport, ensure caps are secure and not leaking.
Note:  The order should be complete and contain the following information:  collection date, collection time, time in formalin (for breast specimens), ordering provider’s first and last name, copy to provider’s first and last name (if applicable), specimen source, and clinical history.

Delivery Notes

Renal/Urethral Caliculi specimens must be delivered to the general laboratory.

Muscle biopsies and renal biopsies must be delivered to pathology ASAP. 

East Region (SMDC Lab): Limbs must be taken to the morgue cooler and an optime sheet is left in the tissue lab that says there is a limb in the morgue. 

West Region (Fargo Hospital Lab): Limbs must be taken to  lab fridge (after hours: General Lab/ Working hours: Pathology Lab)

For more information regarding breast specimens and formalin fixation, see link under Resources to the left.