[Histonet] specimens recieved in formalin

[Walker, Keith]

We recently had our JCAHO survey done and one thing they were concerned
about was formalin being applied to specimens in places other than our
lab. I understand that proper ventilation and minimal exposure is a
concern. We operate our lab Monday thru Friday from 4 am to 6 pm and on
Saturdays from 4am to noon, so sending specimens over fresh would be a
concern. We were wondering what other facilities do with similar
situations. We are a 411 bed hospital with a large ER with level II
trauma, a 15 room OR, an outpatient surgery center, full obstetrics,
very busy endoscopy and colonoscopy business, and of course routine
specimens from the floors. We are also a reference lab. We do about
22,000 surgical cases a year. We would also like to know if anyone else
has had this issue brought up to them by inspectors before and how did
they handle it.

 

Thanks for your help

 

Keith Walker HT ascp