In this section
The following is a list of factors known to significantly affect the performance of examination and interpretation of results:
- Failure to follow the specimen acceptance policy will result in a delay to specimen processing and reporting.
- Failure to supply adequate clinical information may result in a delay to requesting of specimen investigations and reporting.
- Failure to label requests as urgent or HSC205 will result in a delay to specimen processing and reporting.
- Failure to fix specimens appropriately and in a timely manner will adversely affect specimen integrity and subsequent histological examination.
- Failure to follow instructions for the specific specimen requirements will prevent necessary examinations from being performed.
- Failure to disclose high risk status of the specimen will put staff at unnecessary risk of infection.
- Specimens for frozen section placed in 10% neutral buffered Formalin will result in a frozen section not being performed and therefore a rapid report would not be possible.
- Failure to contact consultant/laboratory in advance for a frozen section may result in a delay or even a scenario where it cannot be performed, due to a lack of availability of technical staff and/or Consultant staff.
- Specimens for immunofluorescence placed in 10% neutral buffered Formalin will prevent necessary immunofluorescence examinations.
- Muscle biopsies for enzymehistochemistry must be transported immediately to maintain enzyme and protein membrane integrity, failure to do so will result in poor/low diagnostic yield.
- Muscle biopsies placed in 10% neutral buffered formalin will prevent any necessary enzymehistochemistry testing.
- Rectal biopsies placed in 10% neutral buffered formalin will prevent any necessary enzymehistochemistry testing.
(Last reviewed August 2021)