We've had a few mishaps with our lab specimens, including that time we were certain that we'd sent a breast biopsy to the lab, only to hear back that the jar was empty. (The patient had to undergo a second biopsy.) To help ensure that a specimen makes it into the container, an OR tech and a nurse now write "visualized by" and their initials on the pathology requisition slip (see inset). This confirms that two people have seen the specimen. Nurses also call the lab on a regular basis to make sure suspected malignancy reports have gone out to the physicians' offices.

Susan Dievendorf, RN
Nursing Director
San Antonio ASC
Upland, Calif.
writeMail("sue@sanantonioasc.com")