Specimen Requirements

Histology and Cytology Section of the laboratory is open from 6 a.m. until 4 p.m. weekdays and 6 a.m. to noon on Saturday. If submitting specimens for other than above listed times, let 1 of the associates in the Clinical Laboratory (open 24 hours) know so specimen can be taken care of appropriately.

 

1. Do not crush tissue specimens with forceps, hemostats, or other instruments.
2. All tissue specimens should be submitted in a screw-capped container with 10% formalin (containers with formalin are available by calling Lima Memorial Hospital at 419-226-5058).
3. Volume of formalin must be at least 15 to 20 times the volume of specimen.
4. Do not allow specimen to dry out.
5. Securely fasten the top of container.
6. For multiple biopsies, when identity is required, place each specimen in a properly labeled container. When biopsy specimen is small, it may be placed on a lens paper.
7. Label container with patient’s name (first and last), date of birth or medical record number, date and actual time of collection, type of specimen, and place in a plastic bag (Ziploc®).
Note:  1. Please complete a “Surgical, Cytology, and Microbiology Request Form” including patient’s name, doctor’s name, type of specimen, brief clinical history, and billing information. Information on request form must correspond with identification on specimen container.
2. All tissue specimens suspected to be of an infectious nature should be appropriately labeled, and accompanying request form should contain information regarding type of infection known or suspected.
3. If physician feels that tissue specimen should require any type of special studies or stains, etc., please contact 1 of the pathologists at 419-226-5035 for proper procedure for submitting specimen to Lima Memorial Hospital.