Pathology Handbook

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PLEASE NOTE: Recent changes have been made to this Test

Recent changes for Histology - Specimen Handling Guide

Date

Field

Changed From

Changed To

24th October 2024

MBS rebatable

Collection & Request Instructions

Anatomical Pathology: Surgical Specimen Collection Guide

Investigation / Specimen Type	Collection Container	Fixative	Comments
Routine Small Biopsies	70 ml sealed container with tight fitting lid	Yes 10% Formalin	Quantity of formalin should be 10X the volume of tissue.
Routine Medium Specimens	500 ml container or bucket with tight fitting lid	Yes 10% Formalin	Quantity of formalin should be 10X the volume of tissue.
Routine Large Specimens (Colon, Kidney, Lung, etc)	Dry sealed container, large enough to accommodate specimen	No Leave Fresh	Specimens should be sent fresh via the hoist between 8:00 – 17:30 Mon. – Fr. Outside these hours store in fridge.
Frozen Sections	Dry, sterile specimen container	No Leave Fresh	Dispatch immediately. Contact lab to notify of dispatch Phone extn 62476
Lymph Node Biopsy	Dry, sterile specimen container	No Leave Fresh	Dispatch immediately. Contact lab to notify of dispatch Phone extn 62476 After Hours: Contact On-Call Pathologist
Needle Localisation – Breast	Transpec container & compression container for radiography.	No Leave Fresh	Send immediately to radiology with x3 completed request slips. · Xray · Paraffin studies · Hormone receptors
Nerve Biopsy	Nerve Biopsy Kit Containing x1 tube A-White lid	A = Glutaraldehyde	Ring Anatomical Pathology for Nerve Biopsy Kit (ext 62476) Follow instructions – in kit A - white lid tube: spec + weight in Glutaraldehyde Specimens must be dispatched before 1530
Muscle Biopsy Note: Once received by Anatomical Path the specimens require immediate transfer to the State Neuropath Service in Parkville for processing. The final dispatch time of 15:30 must be observed.	Muscle Biopsy Kit Containing x3 pots A-Red lid B-Green lid C-Yellow lid	A = Glutaraldehyde B = Formalin C = Dry	Ring Anatomical Pathology for Muscle Biopsy Kit (ext 62476) Follow instructions – in kit A red lid pot :thin spec clamped- in Glutaraldehyde B Green lid pot: thick spec-clamped in formalin 1 C yellow lid pot: Cube in dry pot Specimens must be dispatched before 1530 Send Muscle biopsy Clamps for sterilizing & obtain pre sterilised clamps from supply

Anatomical Pathology: Surgical Specimen Collection Guide

Investigation / Specimen Type	Collection Container	Fixative	Comments
Routine Small Biopsies	70 ml sealed container with tight fitting lid	Yes 10% Formalin	Quantity of formalin should be 10X the volume of tissue.
Routine Medium Specimens	500 ml container or bucket with tight fitting lid	Yes 10% Formalin	Quantity of formalin should be 10X the volume of tissue.
Routine Large Specimens (Colon, Kidney, Lung, etc)	Dry sealed container, large enough to accommodate specimen	Yes 10% Formalin	Quantity of formalin should be 10X the volume of tissue..
Frozen Sections	Dry, sterile specimen container	No Leave Fresh	Dispatch immediately. Contact Anatomical Pathology laboratory to notify of dispatch Phone extn 59248
Skin for Immunofluorescence (DIF)	Dry, sterile specimen container	No Leave Fresh	Dispatch immediately to Anatomical Pathology laboratory. Must be accompanied with formalin fixed specimen
Nerve Biopsy	Nerve Biopsy Kit Containing x2 tube A-White lid B - White lid Mix B into A prior to use	2%Glutaraldehyde	Ring Vicotrian Neuromuscular Service (VNLS) at Alfred Anatomical Pathology for Nerve Biopsy Kit (9076 2476) Follow instructions – in kit A - white lid tube: spec + weight in Glutaraldehyde Specimens must be dispatched before 1530
Muscle Biopsy Note: Once received by Central Specimen Reception, the specimens require immediate transfer to VNLS for processing. The final dispatch time of 15:30 must be observed.	Dry, sterile specimen container	No Leave Fresh Keep cool (4 degrees) No dry ice or ice packs	Ring VNLS at the Alfred Anatomical Pathology for Muscle Biopsy sampling and handling (9076 2476) Dispatch immediately Specimens must be dispatched before 1530

Histology - Specimen Handling Guide

Laboratory:

Anatomical Pathology

Test Code:

Histology

Specimen Types:

Tissue

Container Types:

See Detailed Information

Collection & Request Instructions:

Anatomical Pathology: Surgical Specimen Collection Guide

Investigation / Specimen Type	Collection Container	Fixative	Comments
Routine Small Biopsies	70 ml sealed container with tight fitting lid	Yes 10% Formalin	Quantity of formalin should be 10X the volume of tissue.
Routine Medium Specimens	500 ml container or bucket with tight fitting lid	Yes 10% Formalin	Quantity of formalin should be 10X the volume of tissue.
Routine Large Specimens (Colon, Kidney, Lung, etc)	Dry sealed container, large enough to accommodate specimen	Yes 10% Formalin	Quantity of formalin should be 10X the volume of tissue.
Frozen Sections	Dry, sterile specimen container	No Leave Fresh	Dispatch immediately. Contact Anatomical Pathology laboratory to notify of dispatch Phone extn 59248
Skin for Immunofluorescence (DIF)	Dry, sterile specimen container	No Leave Fresh	Dispatch immediately to Anatomical Pathology laboratory. Must be accompanied with formalin fixed specimen
Nerve Biopsy	Nerve Biopsy Kit Containing x2 tube A-White lid B - White lid Mix B into A prior to use	2%Glutaraldehyde	Ring Vicotrian Neuromuscular Service (VNLS) at Alfred Anatomical Pathology for Nerve Biopsy Kit (9076 2476) Follow instructions – in kit A - white lid tube: spec + weight in Glutaraldehyde Specimens must be dispatched before 1530
Muscle Biopsy Note: Once received by Central Specimen Reception, the specimens require immediate transfer to VNLS for processing. The final dispatch time of 15:30 must be observed.	Dry, sterile specimen container	No Leave Fresh Keep cool (4 degrees) No dry ice or ice packs	Ring VNLS at the Alfred Anatomical Pathology for Muscle Biopsy sampling and handling (9076 2476) Dispatch immediately Specimens must be dispatched before 1530

Transport Instructions:

See Detailed Information

Assay Frequency:

Daily