Hi everyone, I just noticed this new CAP requirement. Its in the All common checklist. I always thought slides and blocks must have two separate patient identifiers. Now, I guess slides and blocks are considered "secondary containers" and need only one. Am I reading this correctly? Our lab is 100% manual and we handwrite slides and blocks. I will continue to use two identifiers. Just thought Id bring this to your attention and see how you feel. Garrey
*COM.06200* *Secondary Specimen Container Labeling* *Adequate specimen identification is provided on specimen containers throughout all phases of testing, including, but not limited to aliquots, dilution, tubes, slides, blocks, culture plates, reaction units, nucleic acids and other extracts, data extract files, images, and other secondary specimens created during the processing or testing of a specimen.* *NOTE: A single, unique identifier may be used to label materials derived from the primary specimen for use in subsequent phases of testing. The specimen identification system used must provide reliable identification of the secondary specimen and be linked to the full particulars of patient identification, collection date, specimen type, etc. The specimen identifier(s) must* *be indelible, legible, and able to withstand all stages of processing and conditions of storage. Identification may be text-based, numeric, bar-coded, etc. The form of this system is entirely at the discretion of each laboratory and must be defined in laboratory procedure.* *Slides prepared from specimens in the laboratory are considered secondary specimen containers. Slides prepared in the patient setting and brought to the laboratory (e.g. fine needle aspiration, bone marrow preparations) are considered primary specimen containers and must follow the labeling requirements for primary specimen containers.* *For histology specimens, each block of tissue must be identified by a unique identifier traceable to the primary specimen (e.g. accession number) assigned to the case and by any descriptive letter(s)/number(s) added by the prosector during the dissection. If additional blocks are prepared later, all lists and logs must reflect these additions. Identification number and letter(s)/number(s) must be affixed to all blocks in a manner that remains legible. Each slide must be identified by the unique identifier traceable to the primary specimen and descriptive letters unique to the block from which it is cut. Other appropriate identifiers should be included as applicable (e.g. levels of sectioning). Automated prelabeling systems are acceptable.* _______________________________________________ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet