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Formalin, a common preservative containing formaldehyde, is a dangerous substance that should not be inhaled, absorbed through the skin or accidentally swallowed. When a preservative solution is used, you should pour it over the specimen in the specimen container.ī: Pouring preservative solution over specimens can cause splashing, which puts handlers in harm's way. Be sure to clearly mark the presence of biohazardous materials so handlers take extra care.ĥ. Always use permanent black or blue ink to write required information on labels (see "Take Note"). ī: Place labels on the sides of containers so they're not lost when lids are removed in the pathology department or lab. Specimen labels should be placed on the container's _. When manually handling specimens, hold them lightly so as to not crush the tissue.Ĥ. If instruments must be used, atraumatic clamps or tissue forceps are acceptable options. Avoid using instruments to pass specimens. Specimens should be passed from the surgeon to a CST to the circulator. Use aseptic technique to place small specimens on sterile, non-adherent pads. If that's not possible, keep specimens moist with sterile saline solution or by wrapping them in saline-soaked sponges until they can be passed from the sterile field. Ideally, you should immediately place specimens in a proper container with fixative. It's OK to keep specimens in a sterile basin until they can be passed off the sterile field.Ī: This one comes with a condition. Make sure lids fit containers securely to prevent noxious fumes from escaping during transport.ģ. Maintain an inventory of various-sized containers to ensure you're able to properly package different sized specimens. In addition, affix labels to containers in a way that ensures patient confidentiality.
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the correct size to hold the required specimensī: Containers should be opaque so specimens cannot be viewed during transport to the pathology department or outside lab. topped with a secure, tight-fitting lidĭ.
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rigid, impermeable, unbreakable and non-reactive to fixative solutionsĬ. Specimen containers should be all of the following, except _. Let your pathology department know which cases will require specimen removal or establish a consistent pick-up schedule if you outsource specimens to a lab.Ģ. types of diagnostic studies to be performedĮ: Proper planning before cases involving specimen removal demands communication among all involved in the chain of custody, from surgeons to certified surgical technologists (CST) to circulating nurses to pathologists. Before surgery that demands the handling of specimens, what information should you coordinate and confirm?ī. Use this quiz, based on recommended standards of practice issued by the Association of Surgical Technologists, to see if you do.ġ. To avoid errors during any of these steps, you must understand proven procedures for safe specimen care. A lot goes into the proper care and handling of surgical specimens: clear communication, correct identification of patient and specimen and proper labeling, packaging and transporting once the specimen has been removed.
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