Submit a Specimen
WHAT SPECIMENS CAN YOU SUBMIT TO A.C.T?
We receive and work on all tissues taken out from patients including bone which usually requires a period of decalcification (up to 1 week). We also receive cytological specimens such as fluids from the chest, abdomen, joints and from fluid collections in lumps. We also receive Pap smears and carry out Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology (FNAC).
HOW DO YOU SUBMIT A SPECIMEN?
- Choose a container with a neck wider than the specimen. Formalin hardens tissue and specimen squeezed into tight necked containers can only be removed when containers are broken, or tissue fragmented.
- The specimen container must be clearly labeled with the patients NAME, TYPE AND SITE OF BIOPSY and DATE OF BIOPSY. An unlabeled specimen many be rejected to avoid mix ups even before histopathological testing begins.
- A well completed clearly filled request form with; patient details, diagnosis, operative findings, type of test to be done and finally requesting doctors name and phone number must accompany your specimen. THERE IS NO REPLACEMENT FOR GOOD CLINICAL HISTORY ON A REQUEST CARD. Choose a container with a neck wider than the specimen. Formalin hardens tissue and specimen squeezed into tight necked containers can only be removed when containers are broken, or tissue fragmented.
- Tissue taken from the jaw or from other bony lesions must have accompanying x-rays.
- You must have the right amount of money to pay for the test.
- Demand a receipt.
- You will be told when your result is likely to be ready.Feel free to call earlier to check on your result.
HOW DO YOU HANDLE YOUR SPECIMEN?
All specimens must be submerged in an adequate amount of buffered formalin. The accepted volume of formalin should be one (1) volume of tissue to at least ten (10) ‘tissue’ volumes of formalin. In the absence of that, at least the tissue must be submerged soon after being removed from the body and delivered immediately to the laboratory where more formalin can be added, or processing started immediately. Tissue not in formalin rot and don’t yield optimal results.
WHAT HAPPENS TO YOUR SPECIMEN?
HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE FOR ME TO RECEIVE MY RESULTS (TURN AROUND TIME)
On average, it takes five (5) working days for tissue to be processed and a report to be ready. Your report can be emailed to you and your physician or you can pick up the report in person.