Histology

Information for healthcare professionals

Sample acceptance and rejection criteria

To avoid delays in processing, all request forms must be completed fully and accurately.

Please ensure the following information is provided:

• patient identifiers
• Clinical history
• Specimen details
• Requesting clinician details
• Contact or bleep number, where appropriate
• Urgency status for priority cases

Patient identification labels may be used; however, the full patient identification label must be attached. Blood tube labels must not be used.

Specimens that do not meet the minimum data requirements may be returned to the requesting department.

Patient identification requirements 

Two unique patient identifiers must be present on both the request form and specimen container. 

These must include: 

• patient identification (PID) number or NHS number 
• patient surname and first name or initial 

Specimens that do not meet these requirements may not be accepted for processing. 

Requesting investigations

UHB users can request investigations by:

• recording the case in the theatre request book (Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham only)
• completing a UHB Histopathology request form

Sample transport

Specimens are collected regularly from theatres and clinical areas by portering services.

Urgent specimens and unfixed specimens (dry specimens not placed in formalin) should not wait for the next routine collection.

For urgent specimens:

• Contact the portering service immediately
• Arrange prompt transport to the laboratory

Timely transport is important to preserve specimen quality and avoid delays to diagnosis.

Sample requirements

Tissue specimens should be placed in a suitably sized container containing sufficient fixative (neutral buffered formalin) at least 10 times the volume of the specimen.

Specimens should be fully immersed and free-floating within the fixative.

Specimens pressed against the side of a container may become distorted, which can affect processing and diagnostic interpretation.

Request forms and consumables

External users

GP and dental practices should use the external Histopathology request form.

Request forms can be obtained from the department.

UHB users

Specific request forms are available for certain specimen types, including:

• liver biopsies
• breast biopsies

For Heartlands Hospital, Good Hope Hospital and Solihull Hospital users, request forms can be requested directly from the department or by emailing.

• pathologystores@uhb.nhs.uk

Ordering consumables

The Cellular Pathology Laboratory can provide:

• Specimen containers
• Request forms
• Other laboratory consumables

When stock is requested, Cellular Pathology staff will advise when items are ready for collection.

Consumables should be transported using the portering service. Please allow sufficient time for preparation and delivery.

For external requests, please contact the relevant department:

Heartlands Hospital Histopathology Laboratory

• uhb-tr.histopathology@nhs.net

Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham Cellular Pathology

• uhb-tr.cellpath@nhs.net

Digital pathology

The department is carrying out extensive clinical validation work to support the introduction of digital pathology.

Slide scanners are used within the Sectra IDS7 digital pathology platform for viewing and reporting digital images.

Some cases are currently reported using this system while validation and accreditation processes continue.

Referral laboratories and second opinions

Complex cases may occasionally require a second opinion or referral to a specialist laboratory.

This may involve consultation with:

• Specialist UHB pathologists
• External specialist centres
• Referral laboratories

In some cases, referral for specialist review may increase the time taken to issue a final report.

Information about referral laboratories and specialist second-opinion providers is available on request.