Specimen Requirements

A wide variety of clinical specimen types may be submitted for cytologic examination, including body fluids, urine, sputum, CSF, aspirations, washings and GYN materials.

Fresh Specimens - submit in a sterile, closed container within 1 hour of collection.  

Liquid Cytology preservative - Specimens may be submitted in cytology preservative solutions such as ThinPrep, SurePath and Saccomanno fluid vials.  

Air-dried, fixed smears on glass slide(s)

1. Using a lead pencil, label frosted end of glass slide(s) or frosted slide(s) with patient’s name and origin of site prior to specimen collection. See “Universal Precautions” in “Special Instructions” for collecting and handling specimens.

2. Immediately fix specimen by spraying slide(s) with cytology fixative.

A. Hold spray container inches from slide while spraying fixative to avoid “blasting” cells.

B. Fixative spray should have an outdate of 3 months after opening.
3. Place slide(s) in a plastic slide holder.
4. Label slide holder with patient’s full name (first, last, and middle initial), medical record number (if available), date and time of collection, location of patient, and source and type of specimen.
5. Maintain sterility and forward promptly.
Note:  Please complete a “Pap Order Form” in “Cytology” in “Special Instructions” including patient’s name, date of birth, date of collection, physician’s name, medical record number, patient address, specimen source, and pertinent clinical history; and forward it with the specimen.