Nerve Biopsy

A Pathologist should be consulted to schedule the date and timing of the procedure.
Contact the histology section at 3-1523 or 1526 or the duty pathologist at pager 988-9533 as far in advance of the procedure as possible, at least 24 hrs, to coordinate tissue submission. 
 

Nerve Biopsy

Collection instructions:

1. The neurologist, neurosurgeon and/or clinician requesting the tissue evaluation must provide complete patient history.
2. Collect a 1.2 to 2.0cm nerve biopsy.
3. The specimen should be submitted fresh and tied down on a tongue depressor, with the proximal end labeled. Place specimen in a sterile screw top container.
4. Do not place the specimen in formalin, wrap in gauze or place in saline.

 All specimens will be submitted with either a CHCS order entry document or a Tissue Examination Request
[NAVHOSPPTSVA 6510/44 series
It must be completely filled out with:

1. The provider’s full name.
2. The patient’s first and last name.
3. Social security number with FMP.
4. Age.
5. Ward/clinic/MOR.
6. Specimens anatomic site.
7. Two submitting staff initials.
8. Specimen identifier (A, B, C, etc) if more than one container / specimen is to be submitted.
9. Duty station with phone number for active duty personnel.
In addition, pre-operative diagnosis should be included with pertinent clinical data.

Note: All tissue specimens submitted to Histology from internal NMCP sources must have 2 verifying initials on the specimen containers. If they don’t, the specimen will not be accepted. This is command policy. In addition, all patient and specimen source information must be on the specimen container and exactly match the specimen source indicated in the order.
 

1. When placing the order in CHCS, the ordering provider must verify that the Patient’s name, FMP, social security number, date of birth and specimen source on the specimen container are correct. Specimens from different body sites must be placed in separate, completely labeled, containers.
2. Surgical Pathology specimens must be labeled and requisitions prepared in the room where the surgical procedure is performed. The ordering provider must ensure that the specimen container(s) are correctly labeled with complete and correct patient information, including full name, FMP, SSN, and date of birth, and with the correct specimen identifier (A, B, C, etc) and specimen source (body site). The provider should verify that the specimen identifier(s) (A, B, C, etc) and body sites in the orders correspond to the identifier(s) and body sites on the specimen container(s.)

Specimen should be submitted fresh and tied down on a tongue depressor, with the proximal end labeled.
Place specimen in a sterile screw top container.

Missing or incomplete patient name on container or lab order form.
Missing or incomplete patient FMP and /or social security number on container or lab order form.
Missing or incomplete anatomic site on container or lab order form.
No double initials on container (two staff members from the submitting clinic must initial the specimen container).
Illegible container label or lab order form.
Patient information on container different from patient information on lab order form.
No lab order form submitted with specimen.
No specimen submitted with lab order form.