Specimen Requirements

This test must be scheduled 24 hours in advance to ensure staff are available.

A cytotechnologist will assist with preparation of specimens between the hours of 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday.

1. Using a lead pencil, label frosted end of glass slide with patient’s name (first and last), date of birth, date and actual time of collection, collector’s initials, and source/site of specimen.

2. Obtain specimen by using a small gauge needle, 22 cc to 25 cc, and syringe. (Heparinized syringe is not acceptable.)

3. Aspirate a small amount of non-bloody material from a palable or identifiable mass. Lubricating barrel of syringe with a small amount of saline, and then completely discarding this, will assist in solubilizing the material and make it easier to discharge onto a glass slide.

4. Forcibly express 0.1 mL of aspirated material onto glass slide. In order to prevent splattering and loss of material, needle tip is brought into light contact with surface of glass slide.

5. Place another clean, glass slide across at a 90° angle and allow material to disperse without grinding or twisting slides together.

6. Gently pull apart glass slides and immediately spray 1 slide with cytology fixative or immerse 95% alcohol.  Allow other slide to air dry. Fixation should be accomplished within 3 seconds of pulling slides apart, otherwise air drying will occur.

7. Place slides in a slide/cardboard holder.

8. It is recommended that at least 2 aspirations of the mass be performed.

9. Deliver to Cytology Laboratory immediately.

Note:  1. If an infectious etiology is suspected, aspirated material should be sent in a capped, sterile syringe to Microbiology. If submitting in a syringe, the needle must be removed prior to transport.

2. The following specimens will be returned to the submitting physician:

A. No requisition form

B. Name on requisition does not match name on specimen

C. Broken slide that cannot be reconstructed

D. Unlabeled specimen

E. Fixation in formalin

F. Air-drying artifact

G. Slide adhered to cardboard folder

3. Please complete and submit an “Anatomic Pathology Request Form” stock form # 320-1415

4. Place specimen in a plastic specimen bag with request form inserted into pocket separate from specimen.