See Specimen Submission Instructions for test requisition, specimen labeling and specimen packaging requirements.

Specimen Requirements

Specimens for routine pathology must be submitted in 10% neutral buffered formalin. All containers with formalin must have a formalin hazard label on the outside of the container. The time specimen is placed in formalin must be recorded on tissue requisition in the appropriate location. The amount of formalin should be ten times the volume of the specimen. For large specimens the tissue should be free-floating or completely submerged by the formalin in the container (minimum 4:1 ratio).

Limitations

Tissues fixed in formalin cannot be submitted for microbiology testing. In order to culture tissue, submit one part of the tissue to your clinical laboratory prior to placing the specimen in formalin. Tissues submitted for microbiology testing must be collected utilizing sterile technique and must be placed in a sterile container. You must write on tissue requisition “for culture”. Submit the rest of the tissue to Pathology Medical Services, P.C. in formalin container.