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Test Code PATH15: Specimen to Pathology, Gross Exam Only Specimen to Pathology, Gross Exam Only

Additional Codes

Epic EAP: PATH15

Epic Description: SPECIMEN TO PATHOLOGY 

 

Synonym

Pathology

Gross Exam

Gross Only

Gross

 

Specimen Type

Gross Exam Only

Patient Instructions/Preparation

  • If the specimen documentation requirements are not met, specimens may be rejected, which will delay final diagnosis. Certain specimens may be rejected with recommendation to recollect.
  • Each specimen container/jar must be labeled with the following information: 
    • Full patient name
    • MRN
    • Date of birth
    • Sex
    • Specimen source, including laterality, that fully matches the source on the order requisition. If the source is abbreviated on the printed label, a handwritten source must be provided on the container/jar.
  • Specimens are accompanied with Epic orders that include:
    • Full patient name
    • MRN
    • Date of birth
    • Sex
    • Patient location
    • Full name of physician and unique doctor number (if applicable)
    • Date of collection
    • Clinic history, if applicable
    • ICD-9 code of all outpatient specimens
    • Specimen source and description with site specific words, including laterality, that fully matches the source and description on the specimen container.
  • If hardware is to be sent back to the manufacturer, AUTHORIZATION FOR RELEASE OF CONFIDENTAIL INFORMATION form must be signed by that patient or representative and sent with the specimen.
  • If a patient wishes to have their specimen returned to them after processing, the ANATOMIC PATHOLOGY SURGICAL MATERIAL RELEASE AND CONSENT must be comppleted and sent with the specimen. 

Specimen Required

 

 

  Collection Container Preferred Volume Minimum Volume
Preferred Fresh N/A N/A
Alternate 10% Neutral Buffered Formalin 20:1 10:1

 

Instructions for Collection and Transport

  • The following is a list of specimens that are NOT REQUIRED to be sent to Anatomic Pathology after surgical resection. This list is approved by Surgery, including its subdivisions, and the Anatomic Section of Pathology. 
  • EAR, NOSE & THROAT SURGERY
    • Ear ossicles
    • Nasal septal cartilage and bone for repair of deviation
    • Teeth
    • Tonsils and adenoids (children under 10)
  • GENERAL SURGERY
    • Hematomas
  • GYNECOLOGY
    • Vaginal mucosa form A&P repairs
    • Routine placenta
    • Placentas will be sent to pathology only if rquested by the OB/GYN physician. The OB/GYN physician must document that he has examined the placenta and that it was delivered in its entirety and whether or not abnormalities are seen. 
  • OPHTHALMOLOGY
    • Ocular mucosa for squint repair
    • Cataracts
  • ORTHOPEDIC SURGERY
    • Bone for limb shortening
    • Bunions
    • Tissue from hammer toe repair
    • Toenails, fingernails
  • PEDIATRIC CASES
    • Tonsils and adenoids (children under 10)
    • Foreskin
  • PLASTIC SURGERY
    • Blepharoplasty
    • Face/brow-lift skin
    • Liposuction materia
    • Old surgical scars from non-tumor sites
    • Otoplasty
    • Rib segments/fragments removed during microvascular free-flap procedures
    • Tummy-tuck skin
  • UROLOGY
    • Calculi
    • Elective circumcision tissue (under age 12)
  • VASCULAR SURGERY
    • Atherosclerotic plaques
    • Emboli/thrombi
    • Vascular trimmings from bypass surgery
  • MISCELLANEOUS
    • Calculus
    • Foreign bodies
      • Removed from the GI tract
      • Easily recognizable (money, seeds, nuts, cotton, etc.) as long as removal is validated elsewhere; i.e. x-ray, OR records and OR reports.
  • The pathologist may still elect to perform microscopic examination if clinically indicated.
  • All specimens must be logged in at their proper destination
  • All specimens must be logged into logbook.
  • Ochsner main campus: Benson Cancer Center, 4th Floor
  • Ochsner community sites: Refer to your local laboratory for routing instructions
  • Ochsner Main Campus Merril Hines Operating Rooms will place fresh specimens in specimen refrigerator.
  • Main Campus Operating Rooms will place fresh specimens in the specimen refrigerator.
  • Community Site Operating Rooms: Follow your facility specific delivery protocols for specimen delivery to your on-site laboratory.
  • Clinics will submit specimens in formalin and take these specimens to your specimen pick-up location or if at Main Campus to Central Specimen Receiving (CSR).

Performing Lab

OMC Anatomic Pathology Lab

Assay Frequency

Monday – Friday (8AM – 5PM)

Routine Turnaround Time

5 days excluding weekends and holidays.

CSR Storage Requirements

Fresh - refrigerator

10% neutral buffered formalin - room temperature

 

CPT Code (s):

88300