Specimens will not be accepted or processed in the laboratory unless properly labeled and accompanied by a completed request form
Test Requisition & Clinical Information:
All specimens submitted for histopathology or cytopathology must be accompanied by an Alfred Pathology request form. Electronic ordering of histopathology and cytopathology via Powerchart cannot be used as software functionality has not been completed.
It is very important for all Anatomical Pathology requests (histology and cytology) that relevant clinical details including suspected pathology or pertinent diagnostic questions are written on the request form.
Anatomical Pathology reports are rendered by Specialist Consultants and as such deserve the same level of clinical information as would any other request for professional medical consultation. Request forms should also include the requesting doctor’s contact details where urgent results are required
Minimum identification Policy: The Alfred Pathology Service policy for all Request Forms and Specimens is—
FULL NAME (Family Name plus at least first Given Name)
plus
UR NUMBER* (of the Hospital where currently admitted)
plus
Date of Birth (day, month, year format).
NO TESTING WILL BE PERFORMED UNLESS ALL THE FOLLOWING CRITERIA AREMET—
•The Request Form must bear the minimum Patient Identification listed above.
•The Request Form must have the Collection Certification completed with the Printed Name and Signature of the person who collected the sample(s).
•Each Specimen container must bear the minimum Patient Identification.
•Each Pre-Printed Label on a specimen must bear the Collector’s initials.
•Patient Identification on the Request Form must not conflict in any way with the Patient Identification on the Specimen.
IF ANY OF THE ABOVE CRITERIA IS NOT MET—
• The specimen(s) will not be analyzed.
• The collector will be notified. Where this is not possible, another doctor or nurse will be notified.
Specimen Refusal:
The Alfred Pathology Service reserves the right to refuse specimens that are received unlabeled, without a requisition, with an incomplete requisition (lacking any of the above items) and/or inappropriately packaged (leaking or bloody).