Steps for sending a liver biopsy sample:

  1. Ordering supplies

  2. Complete the Liver Biopsy Requisition

    • A completed Liver Biopsy Requisition must accompany all requests. It should contain: patient name, ID number, date of biopsy, tissue source, biopsy site, clinical history (including a list of prior diagnoses of prior biopsies), recent lab data (AST, ALT, GGT, alkaline phosphatase, as well as appropriate serologies if hepatitis is suspected).
    • Please clearly and accurately indicate on the requisition form the name and phone number of the physician to be called by our pathologists with the preliminary results. Failure to do so may delay the reporting of the biopsy results.
    • Fax requisition form to 319-384-7213 prior to sending specimen.


    Download Requisition

  3. Specimen collection and preparation

    • Label all containers with patient name, identification number, and tissue source.
    • Place 1.5 cm of tissue into Formalin 10% vial (or Excell Plus).

  4. Specimen packaging and shipping

    Courier pickup

    • Place vial in specimen transport bag with absorbent pad.
    • Place all completed paperwork in outside pocket of specimen bag and place for courier pickup.

    FedEx shipping:

    • Place vial in specimen transport bag with absorbent pad.
    • Place all completed paperwork in outside pocket of specimen bag.
    • Place sealed bag containing specimen in the transport box.
    • Place the closed transport box inside the FedEx 3733 Pak and seal.
    • Affix a fully completed FedEx Airbill marked for Priority Overnight Delivery on the outside of the FedEx 3733 Pak.  Affix "FO" label on the outside of FedEx 3733 Pak.
    • UIDL provides complimentary FedEx delivery.  Please call Client Services to order your customized airbills.
    • Clients within and immediately surrounding the state of Iowa can call Client Services to set up courier service.

    Note: Saturday deliveries: Be sure to mark airbill for Saturday Delivery and Priority Overnight to ensure proper delivery. Affix “SDR” label on the outside of FedEx 3733 Pak. Saturday deliveries not properly marked will not arrive on Saturday and will processed on Monday upon arrival.

    Ship at ambient temperature. Do not freeze.

    Ship biopsy to:
    University of Iowa Diagnostic Laboratories (UIDL)
    Department of Pathology
    200 Hawkins Drive 5231 RCP
    Iowa City, IA 52242-1087

    Client Services:  1-866-844-2522
    Client Services fax: 319-384-7213
    Billing fax: 319-356-0729

  5. Biopsy results

    Reports will be faxed and mailed to referring clinician. The pathologist will call the preliminary diagnosis to the referring clinician within 24 hrs for transplant cases.