We release specimens to patients here, especially because of our unique cultural demographic. If the specimen is in formalin, we will drain, rinse, and place contents in a new clean container with labels. The patient also signs a release form acknowledging that the specimen was preserved in formalin and will slowly degrade over time, and is not suitable for consumption etc.
Jennifer Wooten, BA, BS, HTL (ASCP)CM Technical Supervisor | Anatomic Pathology | University Hospital Desk: 505.272.5486 | Fax: 505.272.0240 TriCore Reference Laboratories 2211 Lomas Blvd NE Albuquerque, NM 87106 www.tricore.org -----Original Message----- From: Cartun, Richard [mailto:richard.car...@hhchealth.org] Sent: Wednesday, August 18, 2021 10:56 AM To: Nancy Schmitt Cc: histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu Subject: Re: [Histonet] release of body parts We no longer release any tissue to a patient that comes to our Pathology Laboratory in formalin, and our Legal Department supports this decision. I know that our "Labor & Delivery" Unit has released placentas to patients; however, if the specimen doesn't come to Pathology, we don't get involved. For certain types of specimens received in formalin (POC, fetus, amputation, etc.) a patient can request the release of their specimen, but they have to make arrangements with a funeral home or mortuary to take procession of the specimen here at the hospital and, yes, they (funeral home/mortuary) must sign the release form. Please keep in mind that each state may have statues on the release of human tissue to patients or their families. I also know that some towns here in CT have ordinances preventing residents from burying human tissue on their property. Richard Richard W. Cartun, MS, PhD Director, Histology & The Martin M. Berman, MD Immunopathology/Morphologic Proteomics Laboratory Assistant Director, Anatomic Pathology Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine Hartford Hospital 80 Seymour Street Hartford, CT 06102 (860) 972-1596 Office (860) 545-2204 (Fax) -----Original Message----- From: Nancy Schmitt via Histonet [mailto:histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu] Sent: Wednesday, August 18, 2021 12:33 PM To: histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu Subject: [Histonet] release of body parts This email is from outside HHC. BE CAREFUL when opening attachments or links from unknown senders. Hello- We are seeing a bit more of patients that are requesting to take their body parts with them (uterus, POC, etc); I am talking home - not the funeral home. Are you using a release of body parts form to fill out with the patient? Are you draining off the formalin, or sending in formalin with parafilm around the lid? Thank you for your thoughts, Nancy Schmitt MLT, HT(ASCP) Pathology Support Services Dubuque, IA 52001 Confidentiality Notice: This e-mail, including any attachments is the property of Trinity Health and is intended for the sole use of the intended recipient(s). It may contain information that is privileged and confidential. Any unauthorized review, use, disclosure, or distribution is prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient, please delete this message, and reply to the sender regarding the error in a separate email. _______________________________________________ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu https://urldefense.com/v3/__http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet__;!!KCs9X-8!Ls4flMgYVSY7YCD1T7Gjds4KhtEHb3BOoEcnwu4dOdSCDB0AuE9PAY4C6bzFO2P3djs$ Reminder: This e-mail and any attachments are subject to the current HHC email retention policies. Please save or store appropriately in accordance with policy. This e-mail message, including any attachments, is for the sole use of the intended recipient(s) and may contain confidential and privileged information. Any unauthorized review, use, disclosure, or distribution is prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient, or an employee or agent responsible for delivering the message to the intended recipient, please contact the sender by reply e-mail and destroy all copies of the original message, including any attachments. IMPORTANT: This message originates from TriCore Reference Laboratories or one of its affiliate organizations or representatives. Please note that the information contained in this e-mail message (including any attachments) should be considered confidential and intended for the use of the individual or entity named appropriately. If the reader of this message is any other than the individual named above or an agent responsible for delivery, you are hereby notified that any inappropriate dissemination, distribution, or copying of this communication is strictly prohibited. If you have received this communication in error, please notify the sender immediately. Any errant copy of this message must be deleted. _______________________________________________ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet
