Lab Test Details
Most specimens should be submitted in 10% formalin fixative. Exceptions include tissue for frozen section diagnosis and lymph nodes for lymphoma work-up which must be submitted fresh to the Histology Department. Bone marrow biopsies can be submitted in B-plus. Muscle and nerve biopsies must be submitted fresh and on the clamp with saline moistened gauze, renal biopsies must be submitted fresh on saline moistened gauze to the Histology Department. If microbiological studies are desired in addition to histologic interpretation, unfixed tissue should be submitted in a sterile container accompanied with the appropriate requisitions, and delivered directly to the Microbiology Department. Appropriately labeled containers and fixative may be obtained from the Histology Department by clients of Spartanburg Regional upon request.
If more than one surgical specimen is obtained during a surgical procedure the specimens may be submitted with a single request form. However, each specimen must have the anatomic site identified on the label of the container and on the request form. The attending physician must provide the pathologist with the pertinent clinical data, and preoperative diagnosis (ICD-9 code if known) in order to ensure optimal diagnosis and avoidance of delay. Improperly identified or unlabeled specimens will be rejected.
The autopsy suite is located in the basement level of the main hospital. Physicians are invited to attend autopsies and to discuss clinical and autopsy findings with the pathologist. A request for an autopsy can be accomplished by contacting the morgue staff at 864-560-6198. Autopsies will be performed Monday through Saturday from 8am to 2pm.