Accessioning Flashcards
Specimen guidelines
Most specimens are collect3d by non lab staff The lab staff Is responsible for providing collection guidelines to include : Safety Procedure Fixatives/ transport media Specimen transport Criteria for acceptable specimens Labelling Requisition details
Specimen collection
All specimens ( exceptions apply) collected for routine must be collected in 10% buffered formalin
Specimen must be immersed in a volume 15-20x that of tissue volume
Tissue must be placed in fixative ASAP but must be within 30 mins after removal from body
For stool or breast discharge specimens ( fat stains)
- stool must be submitted in clean, dry sterile specimen container
- the breast discharge is placed on a glass slide labelled with patients name, MCP, date
Specimen not in formalin
Skin biopsy for immunofluoresence - michels fixative
Muscle/ nerve biopsy - dry( mark specimen as dry)
Lymph node for lymphoma protocol - dry
Lung resection -dry
Labelling
Adequate and legible labelling Must include: Full name Second identifier ( MCP, hospital card#etc.) Date of collection Nature of specimen( location on body) Physicians full name Number of specimen ( if applicable ) Label should be on specimen container (not lid ) Include warnings if necessary
Specimen may be labelled with barcode
Barcodes must include the required identifiers
Specimens without required information or not legible are considered mislabelled specimens & won’t be processed except for precious specimens
Specimen containers should be labelled immediately after collection by the health care professional who collected the specimen
Never pre label as this could cause a mix up
Requisitions
All specimens must be accompanied by a complete requisition Requisitions must include: Full name Identification number ( MCP) Site of collection ( OR, clinic, etc.) Priority Physicians name Type of fixative Time in fixative Nature of specimen ( left/ right)
Requisitions may include patient history/ diagnosis
Requisition details must match specimen label
Specimen accessioning
When specimens arrive in the lab they are accessioned Accessioning steps : Receiving Inspecting Entering into the lab information system Assigning a specimen identifying number Labelling with barcoded labels Printing cassettes Sorting
Receiving specimens
When specimens arrive to the lab they are received in the laboratory information system
This allows specimen tracking
Information that is recorded include :
- date & time of specimen receipt
- number / type of specimens
- who received the specimen(s)
Specimen inspection
Specimen inspection involves comparing the specimen label with the requisition
The label & requisition must contain the necessary info & the information on both must match
The specimen is inspected for suitability, stability & appropriate fixative/ media ( follows guidelines )
If guidelines arent met specimen may be rejected
Entering
Specimen & patient info is entered into the lab system / database
Specimen requests are entered ( based on requisition /protocol )
Protocols include the number of blocks/ levels
Some labs may also use a logbook/ paper record
Assigning
The specimen is assigned a unique specimen #
The specimen # is used for tracking & reporting
Receiving entering & assigning may be done in one step
Labelling
Once entered & assigned a #, barcoded labels are printed
Labels may be used in the requisition & pri,arybspecimen container
Barcode is scanned at various stages which can be used to track & locate the specimen
Printing Cassettes
Cassettes are printed based on specimen protocol / size
Cassettes are often colour coded based on specimen type & priority
Casteetes are labelled with the specimen number & barcode ( match the specimen container label)
Sorting
The specimens are sorted with corresponding cassettes & requisition
Specimens are sorted based on the specimen type, priority & date Ex. Urgent/ routine Small biopsies Large cases Limbs
Specimens are organized in order that they are to be grossed
