Specimen Requirements

Specimen Type: Body fluid

Sources: Pleural or Peritoneal

Container/Tube: Screw-capped, plastic container

Specimen Volume: 20-50 mL

Collection Instructions:

1. Collect fluid and place in a sterile screw-capped container.
2. Add an equal amount of CytoLyt to fix specimen.  If no preservative is used, keep specimen refrigerated.
3. Label container with patient’s name (first and last), date and actual time of collection, source and site of specimen, physician’s name, and hospital identification number (if applicable).
4. Place specimen in plastic specimen bag with request form inserted into pocket separate from specimen, and, if possible, deliver specimen to Cytology Laboratory.

Specimen Type: Body fluid

Sources: Culdocentesis, cyst, pericardial, pericardiocentesis, synovial, or peritoneal washing.

Container/Tube: Screw-capped, plastic container

Specimen Volume: 20-50 mL

Collection Instructions:

1. Collect fluid and place in a sterile screw-capped container.
2. Label container with patient’s name (first and last), date and actual time of collection, source and site of specimen, physician’s name, and hospital identification number (if applicable).
3. Place specimen in plastic specimen bag with request form inserted into pocket separate from specimen.
4. Refrigerate at  2° C to 8° C until delivery to the Cytology Laboratory.

Specimen Type: Spinal fluid

Container/Tube: Screw-capped sterile tube

Specimen Volume: 1-3 mL

Collection Instructions:

1. Prefixation with alcohol is not recommended, alcohol may precipitate protein present in spinal fluid.
2. If there is a delay in transport, add an equal amount of CytoLyt to fix specimen.
3. Label container with patient’s name (first and last), date and actual time of collection, source and site of specimen, physician’s name, and hospital identification number (if applicable).
4. Place specimen in plastic specimen bag with request form inserted into pocket separate from specimen.
5. Deliver specimen to Cytology Laboratory. Do not send by pneumatic tube. Fresh spinal fluid must arrive immediately after collection.
6. "Examine for Tumor Cells or Leukemia Cells" must be indicated on request form for Cytology processing. Specimen cannot be processed without out this information.

Specimen Type: Gastrointestinal brushing or secretion

Patient Preparation:Patient should be fasting overnight and should not eat the morning of the collection.

Container/Tube: Screw-capped, plastic container

Specimen Volume: Adequate amount

Collection Instructions:

1. Collect gastrointestinal brushing or secretion and place in container.

2. Add an equal amount of CytoLyt to fix specimen.

3. Label container with patient’s name (first and last), date and actual time of collection, source and site of specimen, physician’s name, and hospital identification number (if applicable).

4. Place specimen in plastic specimen bag with request form inserted into pocket separate from specimen, and, if possible, deliver specimen to Cytology Laboratory.

Specimen Type: Breast/Nipple discharge

Container/Tube: Container with CytoLyt fixative

Specimen Volume: Adequate amount

Collection Instructions:

1. Support areola and nipple with 1 hand. Gently strip sub-areolar area going towards nipple.
2. Wipe areolar area with alcohol soaked gauze.
3. Squeeze nipple to produce a drop of secretion.
4. Wipe away first drop of secretion.
5. Express discharge into container.

6. Label container with patient’s name (first and last), date and actual time of collection, source and site of specimen, physician’s name, and hospital identification number (if applicable).

7. Place specimen in plastic specimen bag with request form inserted into pocket separate from specimen, and, if possible, deliver specimen to Cytology Laboratory

Specimen Type: Oral lesion

Container/Tube: Container with CytoLyt fixative
Specimen Volume: Adequate amount
Collection Instructions:

1. Cleanse mouth prior to collection by having patient rinse area thoroughly with distilled water.
2. Scrape area or lesion with wooden or plastic tongue depressor.
3. Rinse immediately in container with CytoLyt fixative.
4. Label container with patient’s name (first and last), date and actual time of collection, source and site of specimen, physician’s name, and hospital identification number (if applicable).
5. Place specimen in plastic specimen bag with request form inserted into pocket separate from specimen.
6. Specimen must be hand delivered to a technician in the Cytology Department and arrive within 15 minutes of collection as cellular breakdown occurs rapidly.

Specimen Rejection:

The following specimens will be returned to submitting physician:

1. No request form

2. Name on request form does not match name on specimen container

3. Unlabeled specimen

4. No doctor’s name given

5. Spilled specimen

Forms: Cytology Test Requisition (see Forms-Requisitions in left column)

Include patient’s name (first and last), date of birth, date of collection, address, phone number, Social Security number, insurance information, physician’s name and address, source and site of specimen, pertinent clinical history.