Anatomic Pathology Specimen Rejection

Correct and complete clinical and demographic information is required on all requisitions. Incomplete information results in delays or difficulty in reporting or possible rejection.  All specimens must be submitted with the appropriate requisition.

Specimens will be accepted, accessioned and processed only if they meet the requirements listed below.

Specimen Container

Specimens will be accepted by the Anatomic Pathology division when labeled with:

1. Patient's first and last name.
2. One of the following identifiers:

• Alberta Health Care or ULI number
• Hospital Patient Identification Number (PIN – where applicable)
• Date of Birth

If multiple containers are submitted from the same patient, each container must be differentiated with a body site, number or letter that coincides with the requisition.

Requisition Requirements

Requisitions received with specimens by the Anatomic Pathology division will be accepted if they include:

1. Patient’s first & last name
2. Specimen type and origin
3. One of the following:

• Alberta Health Care or ULI number
• Date of birth

In order to generate a report, the requisition must also include:

• Name of requesting physician or surgeon.
• Unit, clinic location or address of requesting physician or surgeon.

NOTE: Quality of reports and service is improved when the requisition includes:

• Clinical history
• Gender
• Name and address of physicians who require a copy
• Collection date and
• Hospital patient identification number (PIN) when applicable.

When a Specimen does not Meet the Criteria for Acceptance

The submitting facility/physician will be contacted. An opportunity will be provided for a member of the medical/nursing staff to come to the laboratory to correct/label the specimen.

If the specimen cannot be labeled at the CLS site:

• The reason for rejection will be indicated on the requisition.
  
• The specimen will be returned to the operating room, clinic or doctor’s office for proper labeling.

Note: If the requisition and specimen have all the required information except specimen type and origin, the specimen will not be returned to an off-site doctor’s office. The doctor will be contacted by phone for this information.

• When the requisition and specimen are returned to the laboratory with the correct information supplied, the specimen will be processed as normal and a disclaimer statement will be placed in the report.

EXAMPLE:

"THE SPECIMEN WAS ORIGINALLY RECEIVED UNLABELED BUT WRAPPED IN THE REQUISITION.  The use of these results for clinical intervention must take into account the possibility of incorrect patient identification."

Specimens may also be rejected if the lid was not secured and contents are leaking.