St. Joseph Laboratory Services Pathology Services

Tissue Pathology	Pathologists routinely perform tissue interpretations Monday through Friday, 8 AM to 5 PM. All tissue specimens for histological examination need to be submitted in 10% formalin preservative. Cytology specimens need to be submitted with 50% alcohol preservative. Preserved tissues are processed overnight, embedded, cut, stained and given to the pathologist the following morning. Pathology interpretations are usually complete the day after the tissue is submitted. Tissue specimens may be sent to M.D. Anderson Cancer Center or other requested facility for consultation or second opinion. The patient is charged for this consultation.
Frozen Sections	A pathologist is on duty Monday-Friday, 8 AM to 5 PM to perform frozen sections. Notify the pathologist/laboratory for frozen sections performed outside of these hours. A pathologist is on call 24 hours a day. Frozen sections are given first priority in the pathology laboratory and are processed in the order they are received. Results are called to the physician as soon as a diagnosis is rendered. Frozen section turnaround times may be delayed if multiple tissues are submitted or if multiple sections are required.
Bone Marrow Pathology	Bone marrow slides and cores properly preserved may be submitted for pathologist interpretation. Bone marrow aspirations may be scheduled with the Medical Director, J.C. Lee, at 776-2401.
Pap Screens	PAP screens are stained and read daily (M-F) by the SJRL pathologists. Pathologists correlate abnormal PAP screens with tissue biopsies. PAP screens must be properly submitted with the patient’s name written on the slide and a complete patient history completed on the requisition or electronically.
Autopsies	SJRHC has organizational criteria addressing when an autopsy must be performed. Contact the Assistant Director (AD) of Nursing when questions arise. An autopsy may be requested by any physician. In many cases, the next of kin must sign an autopsy authorization form. The family may be directly responsible for all costs incurred. Autopsies are not covered by insurance, Medicare, or Medicaid. Autopsy results questions should be addressed to Donna Nelson or a pathologist at 776-2401. The final autopsy report is usually available within 60 days.