[Histonet] Giving Specimens to Patients

[Vicki Gauch]

Wanda,
 We have run into this scenario numerous times and we do not release
any specimens that are in formalin.  If a patient wishes to have tissue
released they have to go through a funeral director .  We did have a
patient request his arm back and it was decided that he would go through
the funeral director who made some type of arrangement so that the arm
would be buried with him when the time came.  Our hospital has even
begun to clamp down on the release of foreign bodies,etc.  We offer them
photographs of the foreign bodies which satsfies SOME of the patients. 
It is always an issue though and there doesn't seem to be an easy
answer.
Vicki
AMCH
 

>>> "Smith Wanda" <Wanda.Smith <@t> HCAhealthcare.com> 4/21/2006 1:28:22 PM
>>>
Happy Friday Histonet,
We have aways given gallstones and foreign bodies to patients if they
request them, however, I have a patient that wants his rib back that was
removed in surgery.    It just looks like a rib fracture, no atypia. 
Our Pathologist don't recommend this, but it is a call from the hospital
legal department and I can't get in touch with them today.  What is the
practice everyone uses for giving/not giving patient's their specimens
in formalin?
Thanks,
Wanda
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