I.   Grossing Surgical Specimens                                                 List                Main Page

Resident Responsibilities

• Triage any problematic (disqualified) specimen to appropriate personnel.
• Grossly examine/sample the specimens and dictate reports.
• Seek assistance or instruction for unfamiliar specimens.
• Be aware of histology lab cut-off time for specimen shipment.
• Frozen section service (see next section).

All specimens that should be grossed must be completed on the day received.  Holding such cases overnight has to be approved by the attending pathologist on the case.

Sequence of Actions

• Set up the grossing station and test the audio recorder.
• Verify the specimen label (the specimen designation, patient’s name, accession number).
• Grossly examine and sample the specimens.  Dictate your report.
• Supervise the following:

• Verification of cassette labeling.
• Entering specimen information on log sheets.
• Delivery of specimens to MH lab.
• Make sure no specimen is left un-examined or is inadvertently thrown in the trash.
• Clean your station.
• Give your audiocassette and requisition forms to the transcriptionists for typing.