Ordering Guidance

If a consultation is desired, order PATHC / Pathology Consultation.

Necessary Information

1. An acceptable cytology request form must accompany specimen containers and include the following: Patient's name, medical record number, date of birth, sex, source (exact location and procedure used), date specimen was taken, name of ordering physician and pager number.

2. Submit any pertinent history or clinical information.

Specimen Required

Specimen Type: Slide

Container/Tube: Plastic slide container

Specimen Volume: Smear

Collection Instructions:

1. Smears should be immediately fixed in 95% ethanol or sprayed with commercially available fixative. Smears that have been air-dried or Diff-Quik stained may also be accepted.

2. Label containers with a minimum of 2 unique identifiers (eg, patient name and medical record number or date of birth), specimen source, and date of collection. Label each glass slide in pencil with a minimum of 2 unique identifiers. If multiple slides are submitted, each slide must have proper identification.

Specimen Type: Fluid

Container/Tube: 60-mL (2 oz) jar with screw cap, 50-mL disposable centrifuge tube with screw cap, or 15-mL test tube with screw cap

Specimen Volume: Any amount

Collection Instructions:

1. Preferred method is no fixative added to fluid prior to processing and the specimen must be received and processed by the Cytology Laboratory within 1 hour of collection.

2. If not possible to submit within 1 hour, specimen should be refrigerated no longer than 62 hours. Additional acceptable fixatives are specimens with equal volume of 50%, 70%, 80%, or 95% ethanol, PreservCyt solution, CytoRich Red, or CytoLyt.

3. Label containers with a minimum of 2 unique identifiers (eg, patient name and medical record number or date of birth), specimen source, and date of collection.

Specimen Type: Tissue

Container/Tube: 50-mL disposable centrifuge tube with screw cap or 60-mL (2 oz) jar with screw cap containing 10% neutral-buffered formalin

Specimen Volume: Any amount

Collection Instructions:

1. Tissue fragments must be submitted in 10% neutral-buffered formalin.

2. Label containers with a minimum of 2 unique identifiers (eg, patient name and medical record number or date of birth), specimen source, and date of collection.