Directory of Services

Clinical Pathology Requisition and Instructions

Clinical Pathology Requisition SECTION FOURDahl-Chase Diagnostic ServicesCLINICAL PATHOLOGYREQUISITION INSTRUCTIONS Purpose:To aid the client in the completion of a Clinical Pathology Requisition. Procedure: NOTES:

Send Out Tests

SECTION ELEVENDahl-Chase Diagnostic ServicesSEND-OUT TESTS Calculi: For crystallographic analysis of calculi. This testing is done at Quest Diagnostics Laboratories for Dahl-Chase routinely on renal stones and ureteral stones.  It may also be ordered on bladder, prostate, salivary gland, and gallbladder calculi. – Specimen should be received fresh or in saline and sent as dry as possible. Cytogenetics

Unacceptable Specimens

Unacceptable Specimens Unacceptable Specimens: Unacceptable specimens are specimens that are not properly labeled and any further processing may compromise patient care. Issues pertaining to the patient’s full name, second identifier (DOB or MR#) and tissue source may lead to the specimen being deemed unacceptable. Unlabeled or discrepant specimens are not processed until written verification if received

Surgically Removed Specimens Not Required for Submission to Pathology

Surgically Removed Specimens Not Required for Submission to Pathology The following specimens may be exempt from laboratory examination: If the physician desires further documentation or evaluation of any of the above specimens, the laboratory will accept them and provide gross documentation and will do microscopic examination if requested and if feasible for the type of specimen submitted.

Surgical Pathology Specimen Submission

Specimen Submission Routine or Rapid Microscopic Exam: Formalin fixed specimens are to be labeled with patient’s full name, second identifier (DOB or MR#), and tissue source and be accompanied by a completed surgical pathology requisition.  For proper fixation of surgical specimens tissues should be submerged in formalin The containers are available in several sizes through the

Surgical Pathology Requisitions and Instructions

Combined Pap, HPV, Surgical and Cytology Requisition PDF Combined Surgical, Cytology, and Flow Cytometry Requisition PDF Surgical Pathology Requisition PDF Breast Requisition (BROKEN ON MAIN SITE) Prostate Requisition PDF SECTION TENDahl-Chase Diagnostic ServicesSURGICAL PATHOLOGYSURGICAL REQUISITION FORM INSTRUCTIONS Purpose:To aid clients in the completion of Surgical Pathology requisition forms. Procedure:There are 3 available requisitions for surgical

Release of Specimens to Patients

Release of Specimens to Patients Principle:  A patient may request to have their specimen or part of the specimen released to them.  Requests for wet tissue will not be honored unless for religious, cultural, or burial purposes because of the significant biological and chemicals hazards. Procedure:

Nerve Biopsy

Nerve Biopsy Dahl-Chase Diagnostics Services (DCDS) routinely sends nerve biopsy specimens to the University of Vermont Medical Center pathology department for analysis. DCDS prepares the sample for shipment. Below is a list of instructions for the surgeon: Scheduling: Specimen collection:

Muscle Biopsy

Muscle Biopsy Dahl-Chase Diagnostics Services (DCDS) routinely sends muscle biopsy specimens to the University of Vermont Medical Center pathology department. DCDS prepares the sample for shipment. Below is a list of instructions for the surgeon: Scheduling: Specimen collection: Materials:

Instructions for Breast Specimens

Instructions for Breast Specimens Purpose: To ensure proper handling and testing of breast tissue by following the guidelines for ER/PR testing. Specimens that are improperly handled may yield false negative results and may negatively impact patient care. Guidelines: Protocol: Conclusion: By adhering to these guidelines and protocols, we will better serve the patient with accurate assessment

Hours of Operation

Hours of Operation The Surgical Pathology Department is open Monday through Friday from 6:30 AM to 10:30 PM.   For after-hour, weekend, and holiday needs, please call 973-7000 and ask for the on-call pathologist to return your call. 

Gross Only Specimens

Gross Only Specimens The following specimens are considered gross only specimens in our laboratory.  The gross only examination will include macroscopic examination, description, and diagnosis of the material received. A gross exam will only be performed at the discretion of the clinician. Gross-only exam must be explicitly documented on the requisition by the clinician. Dahl-Chase Pathology

Cytogenetics Testing

Cytogenetics Testing Requests may be made to send a portion of products of conception for chromosome analysis. This test is not performed by Dahl-Chase Diagnostic Services. Cytogenetics testing is referred to ARUP laboratories and is sent out through Northern Light Laboratory. Clinicians should be encouraged to take samples of villous or fetal tissue at the

Cutaneous Immunofluorescence

Cutaneous Immunofluorescence Cutaneous immunofluorescence (IF) is used to diagnose a wide variety of lesions associated with IgG, IgM, IgA, C3, and Fibrinogen deposition. Dahl-Chase Diagnostic Services accepts skin specimens for IF and will package them to be sent to Mayo Clinic Laboratories for testing. The tissue should be submitted in Michel’s transport media, this is

Specimen Collection Quick Reference Table

Collection Techniques for Non-Gynecologic Cytology All specimens must be labeled with a minimum of the patient’s full name, second identifier (DOB or MR#), and the source of the specimen. Slides are to be labeled on the frosted end in #2 pencil with the full patient’s name, second identifier (DOB or MR#), and source. Do not

Hours of Operation

Hours of Operation The cytology department is staffed for specimen drop-off Monday through Friday from 7:00 am-10:30 pm.  For rapid results on weekends and after 5:00 pm Monday through Friday, the on-call pathologist needs to be paged by calling 973-7000 and asking to have the on-call pathologist return your call.

Fine Needle Aspirations Basic Instructions

Fine Needle Aspiration Biopsy General Information Fine Needle Aspiration Biopsy Fine needle aspiration (FNA) biopsy of superficial palpable lesions Principle: Fine needle aspiration biopsy is a minimally invasive, cost-effective procedure that procures cellular material for diagnosis using suction or non-suction techniques with a fine needle, usually 23 gauge and above. Possible superficial palpable sites include

Detailed Collection and Submission Requirements

Detailed Collection and Submission Requirements Bladder Wash Principle: Cytologic studies are performed on Bladder Wash sediment to detect bladder cancer that may be undetectable by cystoscopy Collection and Submission: Bladder washings are obtained by cystoscopy and should be placed in equal parts CytoLyt solution.  The specimen must be labeled with the full patient’s name, second

Anal Screening Protocol

Anal Screening Protocol Principle:The “Anal Pap” is a screening tool used in at-risk populations to identify individuals who have premalignant cytologic changes in their anal epithelium. Procedure: Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) Testing may also be ordered, in addition to routine cytology screening. HPV Testing on anal samples has not been validated or FDA approved. Therefore, the significance

Neisseria Gonorrhoeae (NG) and Chlamydia Trachomatis (CT) Testing

HPV Testing Methodology:Roche cobas® 4800 System Principle:The cobas HPV Test is an automated test run on the cobas® 4800 System which is used to identify human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA from 14 high-risk genital HPV types that are commonly associated with cervical cancer. The test specifically identifies types HPV 16 and HPV 18 while concurrently detecting the rest of