Identification & Labeling

According to requirements set by the College of American Pathologists, all specimens received by a laboratory must have two patient identifiers on the specimen container. Along with the patient’s first and last name, either their date of birth, chart number, or social security must be included on the specimen container. The tissue source is also required. The patient information on the container must match the information on the requisition accompanying the specimen.

• Write the patient's name, tissue site, and one additional unique identifier on each container label. The chart number instead of the patient's name is unacceptable. Only one completed request form is necessary for all tissue specimens collected during the same procedure. If more tissue is subsequently submitted from the patient (e.g. following a frozen section on the same case), please indicate on the requisition that there was tissue previously submitted.

• Two similar specimens in one container (e.g. vas deferens) can be identified by attaching a suture to one specimen. Document on the request form which specimen the suture indicates.

Due to limited space on specimen containers, labels are available to facilitate the specimen preparation process. If you would like to request labels, please contact the laboratory staff at 843-664-4314.