Specimen Information

Instructions for Clients Sending Nerve Biopsies

1. Nerves should be sent only Monday through Wednesday.  Never send on Thursday or Friday and NEVER around a holiday. It is important for you to let us know when it is coming in the event that we are not working.
2. The nerve should be frozen per protocol detailed below using isopentane and dry ice.
3. Package the frozen nerve with dry ice and label container with large print “Keep Frozen, Specimen on Dry Ice”. The nerve must be placed between some dry ice in a container that has been filled with dry ice. There should be enough dry ice to sustain nerve frozen for 48 hours. Please send Federal Express Overnight.

Clients sending muscles must call at least 24 hours in advance of sending the specimen.   Please call special histology at 802-847-2712. If there is no answer call Surgical Cutting Room at  802-847-9445.

The following information is needed from you:

• Your name
• The institution you are calling from
• The patient’s name
• Expected time of sample arrival
• Your phone number in the event that the nerve is not received.
  
  The specimen packed on dry ice is shipped to:
  University of Vermont Medical Center
  Main Campus |Surgical Pathology EP2-145
  111 Colchester Ave. |Burlington, VT 05401