Specimen Requirements

Forward specimen directly to Pathology. Testing will be performed on Monday through Friday before 4 p.m. (STAT testing is performed on request.) On after hours and weekends, transport specimen ambient.

 

Patient Preparation
1. Ideal testing date is 2 weeks after first day of last menstrual period.
2. Discourage testing during normal menses.
3. Avoid use of vaginal medication, vaginal contraceptives, or douches for 48 hours prior to examination.
 
SurePath^TM (AutoCyte®)
Specimen collection includes specimens from both cervix and endocervix with particular attention to sampling transformation zone.
Note:  1. Following specimens will be returned to submitting physician:
A. No requisition form
B. Name on requisition does not match name on specimen
C. Unlabeled specimen
D. No doctor’s name given

2. Label container with patient’s name, date of collection, physician’s name, and patient identification number (if applicable), and specimen source.
3. Please complete a “Pathology/Cytology Request - Inpatient” or “Surgical Pathology and Cytology Requisition - Outpatient” form in “Request Forms” in “Special Instructions.” Include the following:

A. Patient’s name
B. Date of birth
C. Patient address, phone number, and insurance information
D. Date of collection
E. Source of material (cervical, endocervical, vaginal)
F. Physician’s name and phone number
G. Clinical information including the following:
1) Date of last menstrual period
2) Hormonal status (eg, postmenopausal, pregnant)
3) Exogenous hormone therapy (including BCPs, treatment for endocrine responsive malignancy, estrogen creams)
4) Presence of IUD
5) DES exposure
6) History of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia, cervical malignancy, or any extragenital malignancy
7) History of systemic chemotherapy
8) History of pelvic radiotherapy
9) History of gynecologic surgery, cryosurgery, electrocautery, or laser surgery
10) Date of last gynecological smear and history with dates of any previous abnormal histology or cytology reports
11) Any current abnormal findings or patient complaints
12) High-risk factors for cervical cancer (eg, sexually transmitted diseases, sexual activity at an early age, number of pregnancies, if obtainable, and smoking)
4. Place container in a plastic specimen bag with appropriate requisition form inserted into the pocket separate from specimen.
 
Cervix and Endocervix Specimens (Slide Preparation - Conventional)
Specimen collection includes specimens from both cervix and endocervix with particular attention to sampling transformation zone:
1. Using a lead pencil, label frosted end of glass slide with patient’s first and last name and specimen type prior to obtaining smear.
2. Vaginal lubricant should not be used prior to obtaining smear.
3. After insertion of speculum, lightly swab cervix.
4. With Ayre® spatula or cytobrush, make a sweeping motion around squamo-columnar junction.
5. Spread material evenly on slide making a horseshoe-shaped motion. Apply only light pressure.
6. Spray slides immediately with cytology fixative before slides dry. Hold spray about 12 inches away from slide.
7. Place slides in a slide/cardboard holder.
Note:  1. Following specimens will be returned to submitting physician:
A. No requisition form
B. Name on requisition does not match name on specimen
C. Broken slides that cannot be reconstructed
D. Unlabeled slides
E. No doctor’s name given
F. Fixation in formalin
G. Air-drying artifact
H. Slides adhered to cardboard holder
2. Label slide/cardboard holder with patient’s name, date of collection, physician’s name, and patient identification number (if applicable), and specimen source.
3. Please complete a “Pathology/Cytology Request - Inpatient” or “Surgical Pathology and Cytology Requisition - Outpatient” form in “Request Forms” in “Special Instructions.” Include the following:

A. Patient’s name
B. Date of birth
C. Patient address, phone number, and insurance information
D. Date of collection
E. Source of material (cervical, endocervical, vaginal)
F. Number of slides submitted
G. Physician’s name and phone number
H. Clinical information including the following:
1) Date of last menstrual period
2) Hormonal status (eg, postmenopausal, pregnant)
3) Exogenous hormone therapy (including BCPs, treatment for endocrine responsive malignancy, estrogen creams)
4) Presence of IUD
5) DES exposure
6) History of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia, cervical malignancy, or any extragenital malignancy
7) History of systemic chemotherapy
8) History of pelvic radiotherapy
9) History of gynecologic surgery, cryosurgery, electrocautery, or laser surgery
10) Date of last gynecological smear and history with dates of any previous abnormal histology or cytology reports
11) Any current abnormal findings or patient complaints
12) High-risk factors for cervical cancer (eg, sexually transmitted diseases, sexual activity at an early age, number of pregnancies, if obtainable, and smoking)
8. Place slide/cardboard holder in a plastic specimen bag with appropriate requisition form inserted into the pocket separate from slide/cardboard holder.

 

Maturation Smear Specimen
For a maturation smear, submit a vaginal smear (cervical smear is not acceptable) as follows:
1. Using a lead pencil, label frosted end of glass slide with patient’s first and last name and specimen type prior to obtaining smear.
2. Vaginal lubricant should not be used prior to obtaining smear.
3. Collect vaginal smear from upper third of lateral wall of vagina.
4. Spread material evenly on slide making a horseshoe-shaped motion. Apply only light pressure.
5. Spray slides immediately before slides dry with cytology fixative. Hold spray about 12 inches away from slide.
6. Place slides in a slide/cardboard holder.
Note:  1. Following specimens will be returned to submitting physician:
A. No requisition form
B. Name on requisition does not match name on specimen
C. Broken slides that cannot be reconstructed
D. Unlabeled slides
E. No doctor’s name given
F. Fixation in formalin
G. Air-drying artifact
H. Slides adhered to cardboard holder
2. Label slide/cardboard holder with patient’s name, date of collection, physician’s name, and patient identification number (if applicable), and specimen source.
3. Please complete a “Pathology/Cytology Request - Inpatient” or “Surgical Pathology and Cytology Requisition - Outpatient” form in “Request Forms” in “Special Instructions.” Include the following:

A. Indicate specimen is for a “Maturation Index.”
B. Patient’s name
C. Date of birth
D. Patient address, phone number, and insurance information
E. Date of collection
F. Source of material (endocervical or vaginal)
G. Number of slides submitted
H. Physician’s name and phone number
I. Clinical information including the following:
1) Date of last menstrual period
2) Hormonal status (eg, postmenopausal, pregnant)
3) Exogenous hormone therapy (including BCPs, treatment for endocrine responsive malignancy, estrogen creams)
4) Presence of IUD
5) DES exposure
6) History of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia, cervical malignancy, or any extragenital malignancy
7) History of systemic chemotherapy
8) History of pelvic radiotherapy
9) History of gynecologic surgery, cryosurgery, electrocautery, or laser surgery
10) Date of last gynecological smear and history with dates of any previous abnormal histology or cytology reports
11) Any current abnormal findings or patient complaints
12) High-risk factors for cervical cancer (eg, sexually transmitted diseases, sexual activity at an early age, number of pregnancies, if obtainable, and smoking)
7. Place slide/cardboard holder in a plastic specimen bag with appropriate requisition form inserted into the pocket separate from slide/cardboard holder.