Surgical Pathology/Autopsy | Surgical Pathology, Slide Consultation

UWHC Lab Test Details
Test NameSurgical Pathology, Slide Consultation
Test Code(s)HCPATHSP
CPT Code(s)CPT code is dependent upon the interpretation using original H&E slides versus clinical need to reproduce H&E slides. Possible coding include 88321 or 88323. Appropriate stains and other ancillary testing may be performed and charged separately.
MethodologyManual Microscopy
Clinical Information

Surgical pathology services are provided by board certified pathologists.  Areas of subspecialization include breast and gynecologic, hematopathology, gastrointestinal and liver, genitourinary, neuropathology, pediatric, pulmonary, renal including electron microscopy, soft tissue and bone, transplant, eye, and ENT pathology.  Consultation cases may be directed to one of the pathologists who expert in a given area or directed to a subspecialty group.  Cases may be shared and have internal consultation between pathologists when deemed appropriate.  Stained slides are reviewed in conjunction with the clinical history provided and sending laboratory pathology report and letter.

Testing SiteUniversity Hospital
Linkhttps://www.pathology.wisc.edu/
Days PerformedMon-Fri.
In-Lab Turnaround Time3 - 8 days.
Collection Requirements
SpecimenSlides and/or paraffin-embedded blocks
Specimen Processing Requirements
Sample AnalyzedTissue
Specimen Processing

Submit Hematoxylin and Eosin and all special stains/IHC slides performed on the case.  Include unstained slides and/or a formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue block if it is anticipated that additional stains or ancillary testing may be necessary.  Unstained slides should be on charged slides.

 

All pending and final outside pathology reports must be included with the slides/paraffin blocks.

 

For internal consultative slide requests from UWH providers, an electronic order MUST be completed.  Slides received without an electronic order will be held for 2 weeks.  If an order is not received within that time, the slides will be returned to the originating institution.

Outreach Specimen Processing

Submit Hematoxylin and Eosin and all special stains/IHC slides performed on the case.  Include unstained slides and/or a formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue block if it is anticipated that additional stains or ancillary testing may be necessary.  Unstained slides should be on charged slides.

 

All pending and final outside pathology reports must be included with the slides/paraffin blocks.

 

A letter requesting second opinion review should accompany any request from a physician outside UW Health.  Requests must include patient name, date of birth, referring physician, and referring institution.

Specimen Transport

UW Health:

Send via pneumatic tube to station 501; hand deliver during working hours to Surgical Pathology Specimen Receiving (WIMR B1722), or to the Specimen Control window (B4/220) of the Core Laboratory.

 

Outreach:

Submit consultation slides, outside pathology report, and completed letter in a padded envelope to:

UW Health

Surgical Pathology Laboratory

600 Highland Avenue

Madison, WI  53792

p: 608-263-8443

f:  608-262-7174

Interpretation

All consultative slide requests are assigned to the directed pathologist or subspecialty pathologist for interpretation.  Appropriate additional stains and other ancillary testing my be performed in order to render an accurate diagnosis.  The interpretation of additional stains/tests will be included within the interprative final report. 

 

Situations may exist that would require results prior to the routine turnaround time.  The authorizing physician should consult with the assigned Pathologist to evaluate the circumstances and make arrangments for non-routine processing.

Additional Information

Normal laboratory operational hours are Monday through Friday, 7:30am - 6:30pm.

 

Missing or incomplete information will delay processing and diagnosis.  Slides are returned immediately after rendering a pathology report (30 days post finalization if patient is seeking treatment at UW Health).  Slides may be forwarded to another institution when written authorization is received.

 

For Cytopathology slide consultation requests, please use order code HCPATHC.  For Dermatopathology slide consultation requests, please use order code HCPATHE.  For Muscle and Nerve slide consultation requests, please use order code HCPATHNMC