.png){kind=icon}
2.1 Why is it important to keep a track on samples?
- Awareness of how long processes take
- Awareness of audit trail
- Monitor blocks in the system
- Identify who has handled the specimen
2.2 What are the implications of specimens not being linked correctly to the right patient?
- Wrong diagnosis for patient
- Correct patient not being treated
- Someone well being given incorrect treatment
2.3 Why is clinical information important?
- Gives a context to the patient’s pathological findings
- Helps laboratory to guide its investigations
- Saves wasteful, unnecessary tests
2.4 Why do laboratories use fixatives?
- Preserves and stabilises tissue
- Allows subsequent expansive test repertoire
- Prevents specimen decay by autolysis and putrefaction
2.5 Why is formalin the fixative of choice in most laboratories?
- Cheap
- Easily available
- Penetrates tissue well
- Allows subsequent testing
- Effects of fixation can be reversed for certain supplementary tests (i.e. immunocytochemistry)
2.6 Why are specimens decalcified?
- Removes calcium
- Makes them suitable for tissue sectioning