Frozen sections are available 0800 - 1700 Monday to Friday.
Requests must be BOOKED with the histopathology laboratory staff the morning of the frozen section at phone extension 22090
For frozen sections out of these hours and on public holidays the request must be discussed in advance with the on-call Histopathologist.
The patient's infectious status (if known) MUST be included on the request form. Suspected Mycobacterium tuberculosis nodes or masses are not suitable for frozen section.
Failure to book frozen sections may result in considerable delay in obtaining a report.
The specimen must be fresh (not fixed in formalin), clearly labelled and accompanied by an orange request form with a phone number for the result.
Theatre staff must notify the laboratory staff at the time of dispatch at ext 22090.
The result can be expected within 20 minutes of the specimen reaching the Histopathology Laboratory (not departing theatres). Longer if there are multiple specimens.