Specimen Requirements

1. Using a lead pencil, label frosted end of glass slide with patient’s name (first and last), date and actual time of collection, collector’s initials, and source (right or left breast) if more than one slide submitted. 

2. Clean nipple to remove loose skin cells, and then soak nipple with warm, saline-moistened gauze for 10 to 15 minutes.

3. Gently express only nipple and subareolar area of any secretion which may be lying in collection ducts.

4. Do not massage or squeeze breast.

5. Allow a pea-sized amount of discharge to accumulate on apex of nipple.

6. Place glass slide upon nipple and slide across quickly.

7. Fix slide immediately with cytology spray fixative or immerse in 95%alcohol  before slide dries. Hold spray about 12 inches away from slide.

8. Prepare as many slides as the amount of material allows, the later smears usually contain more abnormal cells.

9. Place slides in a slide/cardboard holder.

Note:  1. 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. Air-drying artifact

F. Slide adhered to cardboard folder

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

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