Emergency examinations
Extemporaneous examination is performed urgently during surgery. Usually the tissue sample is sent by ambulance to the Clinica di Patologia EOC where in about 30 minutes a preliminary evaluation can be obtained, communicated by telephone to the surgeon while the patient is still in narcosis. Analyses are conducted on tissue sections obtained at the cryostat after specimen freezing.
The specimen to be examined should be transported in a closed container marked with the patient's full biographical data; if small, the specimen should be wrapped in gauze moistened with saline. It is preferable to use ice, which, however, should not be in direct contact with the tissue to be tested.
Extemporaneous examinations are conducted at the Clinica di Patologia EOC:
- in Locarno, in the main office (Via in Selva 24, 6601 Locarno), weekdays from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m;
- in Lugano, at the external office (Via agli Orti 18, 6962 Viganello), weekdays from 08:00 to 16:00. Extemporaneous examinations from Ospedale San Giovanni in Bellinzona and all examinations from Sottoceneri are taken at this location.
Ensure that transportation to the location where the examination will be taken over, takes place in less than one hour.
The analysis request form accompanying the specimen to be examined should include the following information:
- patient biographical data;
- clinical information;
- information about the material sent and any specific questions;
- telephone number for communicating the diagnosis of the extemporaneous examination.
