Alberta Precision Laboratories

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Organization:

Alberta Precision Laboratories

Message Alert:

PLEASE NOTE: This Test Directory is in an interim state and due to changes pertaining to the DynaLIFE transition, performing site for routing has not been updated. Please refer to Laboratory Information System for appropriate routing.

Test Name/Synonym:

Surgical Pathology; (Synonym: Nerve Biopsy, Sural)

Ordering Alert:

Pre-booking required - see "Additional Test Information"

Collection Alert:

Special collection requirements – see “Specimen Collection Requirements”

Shipping and Handling Alert:

Special handling requirements – see “Transportation”

LABID (Connect Care):

LAB1126

Specimen Type:

Tissue

Specimen Source:

Nerve

Primary Container:

Sterile, screw-capped container

Specimen Collection Requirements:

Within Calgary and Edmonton:

Place the specimen on a saline moistened non-adherent pad or gauze. The biopsy should NOT be immersed in saline, fixative or any other liquid.

Place the non-adherent pad and specimen in a screw-capped container.

Avoid freezing (do not use dry ice). Place the container with the specimen in a larger container filled with ice or use insulation between an ice pack and the specimen. Keep the specimen cool but do not place directly on ice. These steps are critical to avoid artifacts which may affect the interpretation of the biopsy.

Optimal nerve length for testing is 1.4 cm in length.

Sites sending specimens to Calgary and Edmonton:

If the nerve is less than 1 cm in length, submit the entire specimen in 10% formalin (NBF).

If the nerve is 1 cm or greater in length, cut the specimen into 2 equal parts, and submit half in 10% formalin (NBF) and half in 2.5% glutaraldehyde.

Test Resources:

Requisition:
AHS Anatomical Pathology Requisition (Consultation Request)

Stability and Storage:

Transport specimen to Laboratory immediately.

Transportation:

The specimen MUST be transported (on ice) to the Anatomic Pathology Lab immediately.

Calgary and Edmonton Zones:
Specimen must arrive in laboratory prior to 14:00 to allow for proper handling.

South Zone:
Chinook Regional Hospital (CRH): Biopsy must be received in the lab by 1100 to ensure same day delivery to Calgary.
Medicine Hat Regional Hospital (MHRH): Biopsy must be received in the lab by 1000 to ensure same day delivery to Calgary.

Testing Schedule:

Monday to Friday

South Zone:
Monday to Thursday
Testing not available the day before a statutory holiday.

Testing Area:

Anatomical Pathology

Performing Site:

Calgary Zone	Foothills Medical Center
Central Zone	Foothills Medical Center
Edmonton Zone	University of Alberta Hospital
North Zone	University of Alberta Hospital
South Zone	Foothills Medical Center

Additional Test Information:

Edmonton Zone: The physician must notify the Neuromuscle Lab at 780-407-3427 with as much lead time as possible.

North Zone: To ensure specimen collection/fixation requirements and turnaround times are maintained, these procedures are referred to Edmonton for collection. Please contact the Anatomical Pathology Laboratory if you have questions or concerns.

South Zone: Notification must be received the day before.

Contact Comments:

Calgary Zone: Neuropathology 403-944-1576

Edmonton Zone: Neuromuscle Lab 780-407-3427

North Zone:
GPRH: Anatomical Pathology Laboratory 825-412-4363
NLRH: Anatomical Pathology Laboratory 780-791-6156

South Zone:
CRH: Contact Client Services 403-388-6057
MHRH: Contact Anatomical Pathology department 403-502-8648 ext.1556

Last Updated On:

Monday, May 8, 2023