Policies for Specimen Collection and Handling

Tissue sections are generally submitted internally within the pathology laboratory by the hematopathology fellow and by the residents on service. The requesting physician will fill out an "ISH Request Sheet" and attach an envelope containing the tissue sections to be analyzed. The case is then given an ISH number and logged into the ISH logbook. The Request Sheet is filed appropriately according to the ISH number. The below guidelines for specimen collection and handling should be followed:

• A request sheet must be submitted prior to/or simultaneously with the slides. Request sheets can be obtained outside the door to Room 2N110 or can be faxed to the requesting physician upon request. The request sheet must be completed in order for the specimen to be accepted. It may be faxed to 301-402-2415. Pertinent information regarding the clinical history, name, and preliminary diagnosis of the patient as well as the name and contact information of the physician-in-charge must be included.
  
  
• Unstained sections must be submitted on charged slides. Each slide must be clearly marked with the patient's Surgical Pathology number. No slides will be accepted without proper identification.
  
  
• In most cases, two slides per patient/sample are required. The number of slides per individual case may vary, and in these instances, the requesting physician should talk with ISH Laboratory personnel prior to submission.
  
  
• The slides should be submitted in an envelope labeled with the patient's name and Surgical Pathology number. The slides should be submitted in an envelope to the ISH Submission box in Room 2N113.
  
  
• Please contact Dr. Stefania Pittaluga 301-402-0297 for questions concerning the In Situ Hybridization service