Page 1 of 6 Non-Gynecologic Cytology Specimen Handling & Collection Instructions Labelling and Requisition Requirements Specimen Container Patients full name ( printed in same format as patients health card number Second patient identifier ( date of birth, health card number) New -Meditech generated label affixed to specimen Specimen Source - Specimens collected from multiple sites must be collected in separate containers with the source of each identified Anatomic site Date of collection Specimens requiring expedited service must be clearly marked as ASAP such by the health care provider taking the sample. Cytology Requisition New New on-line Order Entry non-gynecological requisition with similar Meditech prompts Patients full name (printed in same format as patients health card number) Health card number Date of Birth and collection method Specimen site ( if applicable) Number of specimens submitted Pertinent clinical information and history Slides- Thyroid and Salivary Specimens collected on a glass slide must have the patient/sample information printed on the frosted end of the slide using pencil or permanent, indelible ink New - Slides will not be accepted from other types of specimens Labels New - Send all additional meditech generated labels in the biohazard bag accompanying the specimen and requisition.
Page 2 of 6 Specimen container/ Body Cavity Fluids Pleural Peritoneal Pelvic wash Submit all fluids to the laboratory fresh Document total volume of collected specimen on requisition Fluids: Other Abscess Synovial/ Joint Cyst- Ovarian, Breast, Hydrocele, Spermatocele Collect fluid into Cytolyt container (containing 40 ml of cytolyt preservative. Equal amounts optimal) Recap the container and Deliver to lab asap Breast Nipple Secretions Collect nipple secretions into Cytolyt container (containing 40 ml of cytolyt preservative) Deliver to the lab asap
Page 3 of 6 Brushings Bladder Bronchial Endometrial GI Cut off brush and drop into specimen container containing 40 ml of Cytolyt preservative Recap and shake for 30 seconds. Deliver to lab asap Specimen Container/ Endometrial brushings Endocervical or endometrial tissue samples should be collected in formalin and submitted to the Histopathology department Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF) Collect 1-3 ml of CSF into the Cytolyt container and deliver to the lab asap
Page 4 of 6 Fine Needle Aspirates (FNA s) Thyroid Salivary Submit a single pair of smeared slides produced from the first pass. Rinse needle into Cytolyt solution. Additional passes should be expelled in the needle rinse as described in FNA- Other Specimen Requirement Instructions below *It is important that the majority of the material be fixed in Cytolyt rather than on the smear Specimen Container/ To prepare the slide after the first pass, place one drop of aspirated material in the centre of the slide close to the labelled end. The second slide is placed upside down over the first slide and the specimen is allowed to spread. Gently separate the slides by pulling labeled ends in opposite directions. Fix both slides immediately with cytospray, (up to 8 sprays) holding the bottle no closer than 6 inches from the slide. Allow the smeared slides to dry completely before placing them into slide holders prior to transport. Submit slides and specimen in Cytolyt solution to the lab within 1 hour after the smeared slides have dried completely Fine Needle Aspirates (FNA s)-other Breast Other palpable superficial lesions Expel contents of the needle barrel in the Cytolyt container. Rinse the needle by aspirating 2 cc of Cytolyt fixative into the syringe through the needle to rinse the needle and syringe of any remaining specimen. Expel rinse into the container. Usually the first pass yields the most diagnostic material. Diagnostic yield can be improved by using up to 3 passes. The use of more than 3 passes does not generally increase the yield. Recap the container. Deliver to lab asap
Page 5 of 6 Specimen container/ Sputum Collect Sputum into Cytolyt container (containing 40 ml of cytolyt preservative. Min volume 5 ml) Recap the container and Deliver to lab asap Up to 3 sputum samples may be requested. Collect samples on consecutive days. Clearly indicate the specimen number on the requisition Urine Washings Bladder Pelvic/ Peritoneal Bronchial Endometrial GI tract (Esophageal, Gastroesophageal Junction, Gastric, Duodenal, Bile Duct) Collect Urine into Cytolyt container (containing 40 ml of cytolyt preservative. Equal amounts optimal) Recap the container and Deliver to lab asap Collect washings into Cytolyt container (containing 40 ml of cytolyt preservative. Equal amounts optimal) Recap the container and Deliver to lab asap
Page 6 of 6 - Delivery Each properly labelled specimen must be placed in a biohazard bag accompanied with the completed cytology requisition and any additional meditech generated labels Specimens requiring expedited service must be clearly marked as ASAP such by the health care provider taking the sample. Specimens must be transported to the laboratory as soon as possible after collection Cytology specimens can continue to be sent to the lab via the pneumatic tube system with the exception of FNA specimens with glass slides and large fluid collection bottles.