Gastrointestinal Biopsies

  • Label the body of the container with the patient's identifying information (at least first and last name) and the site of the biopsy (be as specific as possible; e.g., "Sigmoid at 20 cm", "antrum").
  • If you desire, you may place the specimens onto Telfa upon retrieval from the endoscope. The Telfa may then be placed directly into the formalin container. Alternatively, you may place the biopsies directly into the formalin container without Telfa.
  • Either way, place the specimen into the formalin container as soon as possible after the time of collection and close the lid tightly. Gastrointestinal biopsies are especially sensitive to poor fixation, so leaving them on the counter in the endoscopy suite for even 30 minutes may seriously impair our ability to interpret the specimen.
  • Complete the Summit Pathology Surgical Pathology requisition, including the following information:
    • Patient's full name
    • Date of birth
    • Complete address
    • Medical record number (for hospital patients)
    • SSN
    • Submitting physician
    • Other physicians who should receive a copy of the report
    • Date of specimen collection
    • Appropriate clinical history, including previous biopsy results (e.g., "History of U.C.", "Previous Barrett's with dysplasia")
    • ICD-9 code
    • Site of specimen (be specific!)
    • Any special studies requested (for example, fungal stains on an esophageal biopsy)
      • Please note that we routinely perform Helicobacter stains on non-polyp gastric biopsies and alcian blue stains for Barrett's esophagus on esophageal biopsies.
    • Insurance information (may be copied front and back and attached to requisition)
  • Place the container in the main part of the plastic biohazard bag supplied by Summit Pathology, and the requisition in the outside dry pouch.
  • Place the bag in your office's location for routine Summit Pathology courier pickup (or, if in a hospital setting, have the specimen delivered to the hospital laboratory as soon as possible).
  • For a STAT pickup or other questions, please call us at 970-461-6091.