It is an offence under S12 of the
Human Tissue Act 1964 to perform
any post-mortem or anatomical
examination on a body or any part of
Local service contacts...
a body unless you are a medical
practitioner or are licenced under
Information  for
the Act to do so.  The penalty may be
CERVICAL SCREENING
(07) 571 8975
patients requesting
a fine not exceeding $1,000.00 or
COMMUNITY ALCOHOL & DRUG SERVICES
(07) 579 8391
imprisonment for a term not
COMMUNITY MENTAL HEALTH
(07) 579 8329
return of
exceeding three months
DISTRICT NURSING
(07) 579 8757
MAISS SUPPORT NET
(07) 571 0093
MATERNITY SERVICES
(07) 579 8719
REGIONAL COMMUNITY SERVICES
(07)  571  8975
Body Parts
By receipt of this written information you are
REGIONAL MAORI HEALTH SERVICES
(07)  579  8560
agreeing not to use the body part or tissue
TAURANGA HOSPITAL
(07) 579 8000
or Tissue
for any unlawful purpose and acknowledge
TOI TE ORA PUBLIC HEALTH
(07) 571 8975
that the Bay of Plenty District Health Board
shall take no responsibility whatsoever for
requiring
the body part or tissue once it has been
collected by you or your authorised
histological
representative.
examination
More information can be obtained by
contacting...
Histopathology Laboratory
The Bay of Plenty District Health Board has an
Pathlab Bay of Plenty Ltd
active commitment to the Treaty of Waitangi
and the improvement of Maori health.
Phone 577 4511
Te Puna Hauora
CAMERON ROAD  P.O. BOX 12024  TAURANGA  NEW ZEALAND
Tauranga Hospital
PHONE 07 579 8000  FAX 07 579 8487
Dec.2003
Phone 579 8560
Designed and printed by BOPDHB Publishing

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Following surgery, the body part or tissue
In the event of direct skin contact, it is
that is removed from you is sent to the
In some cases there may be insufficient
strongly recommended that the area be
Histopathology Laboratory, Pathlab Bay of
tissue left to return (particularly small
washed thoroughly with water.
Plenty for analysis.  The body part or tissue
samples).  In this instance, you will be
is described and appropriate samples
contacted either by letter from the laboratory
removed so that an accurate diagnosis can
or by your doctor.
The body part or tissue should be kept
be made.
out of the reach of children.
This process usually takes between two to
BODY SUBSTANCES will not
Proper disposal of human body parts or
three days, but in some instances may take
be returned.
tissue is important and this is your
longer.  Therefore, to enable the laboratory
Any body part or tissue that
to complete all studies we request that
responsibility once you have collected
may cause an infectious risk
you contact the laboratory TWO weeks
the body part or tissue and signed the
will not be returned.
after surgery to arrange a convenient
tissue release form.
time to collect the body part or tissue ...
phone 577 4511.
All body parts or tissue that is sent for
histological examination is treated with a
Formalin will rust a metal container
preservative, Formalin, used to prevent the
The body part or tissue will be
and therefore an alternative
decay of the body part or tissue.  Formalin is
respectfully stored at the
should be used.
a toxic substance and any skin contact may
Histopathology Laboratory, MedLab
When you decide to dispose of the
cause skin irritation (dry, flaking and itching
Bay of Plenty for six weeks following
skin).  Although the body part or tissue is
tissue, we recommend that is
washed before return, small amounts of
surgery.  If not collected within SIX
buried deeply, away from waterways.
Formalin may still be present.  It is therefore
weeks, it will be disposed of, without
Alternatively, you can dispose of the
advisable that any handling after return be
exception, as per Pathlab Bay of
tissue through a funeral director.
done whilst wearing plastic gloves.
Plenty disposal protocol.

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