Specimens are accepted everyday of the week including weekends.

1. How to send a Testing Request

Find the test you would like to order and a link to the requisition you will need in the UIDL TEST DIRECTORY.

A standard UIDL requisition form or approved electronic test order via the UIDL Online Portal should always be used when ordering tests. If UIDL receives a test order on a non-UIDL form or an incomplete UIDL requisition form, processing of your test order may be delayed. As necessary, UIDL will contact healthcare providers to have them resubmit the test order on a UIDL test requisition form or otherwise clarify an unclear test order.

Questions about completing the requisition can be directed to:
University of Iowa Diagnostic Laboratories (UIDL)
319-384-7212 or toll free at 866-844-2522.

2. Specimen Preparation

Slides/Blocks

• A completed requisition must accompany all requests. It should contain: the patient name, date of birth, date of collection, tissue source/site, clinical history and differential diagnosis, if known.
• Include other pertinent information, such as radiographic findings, cancer history or treatment history.
• All slides and tissue blocks must be identified.
• If this is a routine slide consultation, then the slides will be mailed back with the patient report. If the patient is going to be seen at University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, then we will retain the slides/blocks until after the patient’s visit (usually 30 days). After that time, all slides and blocks will be returned.

Wet Tissue

• A completed requisition must accompany all requests. It should contain: the patient name, date of birth, date of collection, tissue source/site, clinical history and differential diagnosis, if known.
• Include other pertinent information, such as radiographic findings, cancer history or treatment history.
• All containers must be labeled with patient name, date of birth, and tissue source/site.
• Place tissue in leak-proof container with enough fixative to cover the tissue sample.
• Wrap the container with Parafilm to prevent leakage, if needed.
• If wet tissue is sent, original slides and tissue blocks are retained by University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics.

Frozen Tissue
Lymph Node, Spleen, Liver or Tumors:

• A completed requisition must accompany all requests. It should contain: the patient name, date of birth, date of collection, tissue source/site, clinical history and differential diagnosis, if known.
• Include other pertinent information, such as radiographic findings, cancer history or treatment history.
• Lymph nodes should be cut perpendicular to the long axis. Freezing must be rapid to prevent ice crystal formation.
• Do not try to freeze a specimen larger than approximately 1 x 1 x 0.3 cm.
• If tumor heterogeneity is a concern, please freeze multiple small specimens from several sites for study rather than a single large specimen.
• Large blocks will not freeze rapidly and ice crystal formation will occur.
• The tissue must be kept frozen at all times. The best results from immuno-microscopic studies are obtained when tissues are frozen rapidly and kept frozen at -60 to -80° C. Any thawing which takes place and is followed by refreezing leads to ice crystal formation with loss of morphologic detail and cell membrane (hence antigenic) integrity.
• The following steps should be followed to obtain optimal results:
  a. Place a small mound of Optimal Cutting Temperature (OCT) compound on the cryostat chuck.
  b. Avoid bubbles in the OCT, which will make sectioning difficult. Freeze a base layer of OCT, and then place another small mound of OCT on top of it.
  c. Embed tissue specimen in the OCT making certain it is completely covered and thus protected from freeze-drying.
  d. Add another drop of OCT if needed. Freeze by immersing the chuck and specimen mounted upon it in liquid nitrogen (LN2) or precooled isopentane.
  e. Boiling of LN2 stops when specimen is solidly frozen.
  f. If a cryostat heat sink is used, spray it with Cyto-Cool to speed the freezing process. NEVER freeze tissue without covering it with OCT.
  g. Remove the specimen from the chuck with a sharp edge and wrap it in aluminum foil.
  h. Label the specimen with the patient name, date of birth, tissue source, and date. Always identify the specimen by writing with a chemical resistant marker on the foil and bag.
  i. If you intend to hold the specimen while the permanent sections are examined, keep it in a freezer at –30°C or preferably lower. Do not use a refrigerator freezer.
  j. Place the wrapped specimen in a plastic bag before shipping.
  
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3. Specimen Packaging

Slides/Blocks

• Standard mailing containers (canisters, padded envelopes, slide boxes) are designed to transport specimens such as prepared slides and paraffin blocks.
• These specimens do not require any special temperatures or handling.
• To prevent slides from breaking, please use the proper transport container, (such as a padded envelope) or add sufficient packing material.
• These specimens can be sent by U.S. Mail or any transportation service.

Wet Tissue

• Affix “formaldehyde precaution” label on the specimen container.
• Double bag the specimen container with the requisition on the outside of the plastic bag.
• Affix "formaldehyde precaution" label on bag.
• Placed the double-bagged specimen into a box (primary container) with adequate absorbent material in case of leakage.
• Securely seal the primary container.
• Place the primary container in a secondary shipping container, which should also contain enough absorbent material to prevent any leakage from escaping outside the container.
• These specimens can be sent by our Courier services within our service area or by FedEx Mail.

Frozen Tissue

• Place the double-bagged specimen into a Styrofoam container (primary container) with adequate dry ice.
• Use at least 6-8 pounds dry ice. Use more in the summer months. DO NOT use wet ice, or coolants (i.e., Cool Packs).
• Make certain the requisition is placed in the box, but on the outside of the double bag.
• Securely seal the container and label with "Frozen Tissue- Do Not Thaw".
• These specimens can be sent by our Courier services within our service area or by overnight express airmail.

4. Specimen Transportation

Complimentary shipping via Fed Ex is available, and specimens are received seven days a week.  STAT weekday and holiday services may be available. If you need assistance or information in transporting specimens to our laboratories, please contact UIDL Client Services at 866-844-2522 to determine the most appropriate shipping arrangement.

NOTE:  SATURDAY DELIVERIES
Mark airbill for Saturday Delivery and Priority Overnight and affix “SDR” label on the outside of FedEx ClinPak to ensure proper delivery.  Saturday deliveries not properly marked will NOT be delivered until Monday or later.

See additional Packaging and Shipping Guidelines

Shipping address:
University of Iowa Diagnostic Laboratories (UIDL)
Department of Pathology
200 Hawkins Drive 5231 RCP
Iowa City, IA 52242-1087