SPECIMEN COLLECTION INFORMATION
Requisition Forms
• Dermatopathology surgical requisition forms for CU Dermatopathology Consultants
can be downloaded and printed as hard copies or as electronic versions
on the Client
Services page. When possible, it is preferred that your office use one of
our specific dermatopathology requisition forms; however, other requisition forms
will also be honored. Dermatopathology requisition forms must at a minimum include
the following information to be accessioned into the database. Label the vial
properly
o Name of submitting physician
o Site of biopsy
o Date of procedure
o Patient’s first name and last name
o Patient’s date of birth
o Patient’s sex
o Patient’s demographics
o Insurance or billing information
• The specimen jars/vials must be clearly marked. If critical information is
missing, a fax will be sent requesting clarification. If no clarification is received
within 48 hours, the tissue specimen will be returned to submitting office.
Labeling, Packaging and Handling
• Specimen bottles and specimen bags can be obtained
by either calling our office (303-344-1290) or online from our
Client Services
page. Specimens should be placed in a sealed specimen bottle that has a label. The
label should contain the patient’s name, site and date of collection at a minimum.
Formalin warning labels are required.
• Every vial must be labeled with at least two unique identifiers (suggested: full
name and DOB). This is required to positively identify the patient
with two identifiers before collection occurs.
• Place biopsy bottle in biohazard bag and put requisition in separate pocket for
each patient.
• Please use appropriate courier or shipping services. Ensure that couriers meet
applicable regulations.
Appropriate Specimens
• Appropriate specimens include formalin fixed skin or mucosal biopsies.
• Specimens may be formalin fixed shave, punch, incisional or excisional biopsies.
• Adequately fixed specimens are needed for proper processing and diagnosis. Because
we are a reference lab, we do not specify fixation times, but ask that you make
every effort to ensure proper fixation.
• Very large excisions may require larger specimen collection bottles with enough
formalin to allow adequate fixation. The ideal ratio of formalin to tissue is 10:1
although some authorities feel that 5:1 is an acceptable ratio. We do not reject
tissue for these reasons, but in some cases we may put the biopsy in a larger container
with more formalin for further fixation. This may delay diagnosis.
• Multiple biopsies from different sites (inflammatory skin conditions may be an
exception) should be placed in separate containers.
• Submitting health care providers are encouraged to include pertinent clinical
information and pre- and/or postoperative diagnosis or differential diagnosis.
• Excision biopsies should ideally have a suture or be pre-inked for orientation.
• Clearly print or type any special instructions (e.g., process for alopecia, PAS
for fungus, etc.)
Causes for Rejection or Holding of Specimens
• Inadequately labeled specimens that do not have the minimum required data (name,
DOB, sex, site, date and provider).
• Specimens that are not submitted in formalin or other appropriate tissue fixative.
• Inconsistencies between the specimen label and the requisition sheet.