Specimen Requirements

Specimens must arrive in Pathology before 1:30 p.m. on the day of the procedure to ensure viability of the specimen. Bring specimens to Pathology (open Monday through Friday from 6 a.m.-4 p.m.). On weekends or during off hours, leave request form and specimen in specimen basket on laboratory processing counter. Flip light switch to notify laboratory personnel. The following specimen will be returned to submitting physician:A. No request formB. Name on request form does not match name on specimenC. Unlabeled specimenD. Specimen improperly collectedForms: Pathology requisition; or place a Pathology order in order entry including patient’s name, date of birth, date of collection, physician’s name, hospital identification number (in- or out-patient) or address, specimen source, and pertinent clinical historyBone marrow core and clot, heparinized bone marrow, and bone marrow aspirate smears and/or touch preparation slides are required.Specimen Type: Bone marrow core and clotContainer/Tube:Plastic container with 10% neutral buffered formalin fixativeSpecimen Volume:Entire collectionCollection Instructions:1. Fixative volume should be at least 15 to 20 times greater than that of the tissue.2. Label container with patient’s name, date of collection, physician’s name, hospital identification number (if applicable), and source of specimen.Specimen Type: Bone marrowContainer/Tube:Green top (sodium heparin) tubeSpecimen Volume:A minimum of 2-3 mLCollection Instructions:Label container with patient’s name, date of collection, physician’s name, hospital identification number (if applicable), and source of specimen.Specimen Type: Bone marrow aspirate smears and/or touch preparation slidesContainer/Tube:Sealed container with no exposure to formalin fumesSpecimen Volume:Smears and/or touch preparation slidesCollection Instructions:1. Slides need to be air-dried.2. Label container with patient’s name, date of collection, physician’s name, hospital identification number (if applicable), and source of specimen.