Fellow Histonetters,
I would like to know how people are disposing of their specimen containers.
Our retained tissue is eventually sent for incineration. However, the
specimen containers with the patients' names and other information are
rinsed and thrown away in the trash.  During the grossing of small specimens
that submitted in full, the containers are also tossed.  Trying to remove
the labels is nearly impossible and time prohibitive. What is the correct
approach under the HIPPA Privacy Rule? Would it be sufficient to send the
labeled container to the incinerator also?  I have a very thick,
comprehensive book on the implementation of HIPPA, but it's not of much use
in regard to specimen containers and labels that contain patient
information. Thanks in advance.
Kari Bradshaw