Tissue Procurement Facility: Frequently asked questions

1. What is Tissue Procurement Facility?

The Tissue Procurement Facility (TPF) is based within the Surgical Pathology laboratory of the Drexel College of Medicine with the function of prospectively obtaining surgically resected tissue for research while safeguarding all aspects of patient care. The TPF is authorized by the Institutional Review Board (IRB) to obtain tissue for research that is otherwise resected for medical purposes. The major resource available for this task is a skilled technologist who will work with surgeons, investigators, and pathologist to process acquired tissue to maximize its scientific value without compromising diagnostic processing. In addition, the TPF provides investigators access to histopathologic parameters available from the final diagnostic report while preserving patient confidentially. This TPF is founded by the National Disease Interchange and services are provided without charge.

2. Who can use the TPF?

Any member of the Drexel College of Medicine is eligible.

3. What types of processing are available for procured tissue?

Tissues may be obtained fresh (including sterile for establishment of cell culture), frozen in liquid nitrogen, embedded in the cryopreservative O.C.T, or fixed in formalin and paraffin embedded. The technician responsible for procuring tissue will work with each investigator to maximize the value of the tissue for the particular protocol.

4. Can tissue be acquired in the OR without having to be sent to Pathology first?

No, The TPF is the only IRB approved method of obtaining tissues from surgical and autopsy specimens.

5. When is the TPF available?

Generally, tissue can be procured during the normal working hours of 8:00am to 5:00pm, Monday – Friday. Procurement outside of those times cannot be assured, but may be possible by special arrangement with the tissue procurement technologist.

6. Do I have to know when a surgical procedure is going to be performed in order to have tissue procured?

The TPF obtains information regarding specimens by reviewing each day’s operation schedule in advance and by working with surgical pathologist. Thus, placement of a “standing order” for tissue of a given type is generally the easiest and most successful means for tissue procurement. In addition, if an investigator has advance knowledge of a specific case of interest, we ask that he / she notifies the TPF technologist in advance. We will process all request for tissue from specific cases that are received by 4:00pm on the previous (working) day before surgery. The tissue procurement technologist will notify the charge nurse of each day’s cases, from which tissue is to be obtained so that these specimens will be handled properly.

The most effective procurement of tissue results from close collaboration between surgeon and investigator, and communication between investigator and the tissue procurement technologist. Because the difficulty of acquiring tissue may vary for each case, each investigator should discuss his / her needs with the TPF technologist after approval is granted.

7. How is procured tissue transferred to the investigator?

The TPF technologist will be notified when a requested specimen is received. He or she will process the tissue and, if appropriate, call the individual specified as a contact person on the “application for enrollment”. Arrangements for specimen transfer may need to vary with circumstances, however, and may be individualized with the TPF technologist.