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Cytology, Cervical/Vaginal
Message
For any of the specimen types, patient should avoid douching for 48 to 72 hours prior to examination. "
Test Code
3941122
CPT Codes
88150
Preferred Specimen
Cervical Scraping
Container/Tube: Slide(s)
Specimen Volume: Cervical scraping
Forms: Cytology Request Form
Collection Instructions: 1. Using a lead pencil, label frosted end of a glass slide with patient’s name and origin of site prior to specimen collection. Observe Universal Precautions for collecting and handling specimen. 2. With spatula, thoroughly scrape entire cervix with emphasis on squamocolumnar junction. 3. Spread material evenly onto labeled glass slide and fix immediately with CytoPrep. 4. Place slide in a plastic slide holder.
Note: 1. The following specimens will be returned to 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. No doctor’s name given
F. Fixation in formalin
G. Air-drying artifact
2. Label container with patient’s full name (first and last), date of collection, physician’s name, hospital identification number (if applicable).
Endocervix
Container/Tube: Slide(s)
Specimen Volume: Endocervix
Forms: Cytology Request Form
Collection Instructions: 1. Using a lead pencil, label frosted end of a glass slide with patient’s name and origin of site prior to specimen collection. Observe Universal Precautions for collecting and handling specimen. 2. Cotton swab or cervical aspiration of endocervical canal is obtained by inserting pipette high into cervical os and aspirating secretion. 3. Express secretion onto labeled glass slide, spread evenly, and fix immediately, or, if cotton swab is preferred, moisten swab with saline, rotate in cervical os and roll onto labeled glass slide, and fix immediately. Do not smear or scrub onto slide. 4. Place slide in a plastic slide holder.
Note: 1. The following specimens will be returned to 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. No doctor’s name given
F. Fixation in formalin
G. Air-drying artifact
2. Label container with patient’s full name (first and last), date of collection, physician’s name, hospital identification number (if applicable).
Vaginal Smear
Container/Tube: Slide(s)
Specimen Volume: Vaginal smear
Forms: Cytology Request Form
Collection Instructions: 1. Using a lead pencil, label frosted end of a glass slide with patient’s name and origin of site prior to specimen collection. Observe Universal Precautions for collecting and handling specimen. 2. Obtain specimen by lightly scraping posterior fornix with spatula. 3. Spread material evenly onto a labeled glass slide and fix immediately (make cell spread from the vaginal pool first: fix slide immediately, then make cell spread from cervix and fix slide immediately, before collecting endocervical specimen). 4. Place slide in a plastic slide holder.
Note: 1. The following specimens will be returned to 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. No doctor’s name given
F. Fixation in formalin
G. Air-drying artifact
2. Label container with patient’s full name (first and last), date of collection, physician’s name, hospital identification number (if applicable).
Container/Tube: Slide(s)
Specimen Volume: Cervical scraping
Forms: Cytology Request Form
Collection Instructions: 1. Using a lead pencil, label frosted end of a glass slide with patient’s name and origin of site prior to specimen collection. Observe Universal Precautions for collecting and handling specimen. 2. With spatula, thoroughly scrape entire cervix with emphasis on squamocolumnar junction. 3. Spread material evenly onto labeled glass slide and fix immediately with CytoPrep. 4. Place slide in a plastic slide holder.
Note: 1. The following specimens will be returned to 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. No doctor’s name given
F. Fixation in formalin
G. Air-drying artifact
2. Label container with patient’s full name (first and last), date of collection, physician’s name, hospital identification number (if applicable).
Endocervix
Container/Tube: Slide(s)
Specimen Volume: Endocervix
Forms: Cytology Request Form
Collection Instructions: 1. Using a lead pencil, label frosted end of a glass slide with patient’s name and origin of site prior to specimen collection. Observe Universal Precautions for collecting and handling specimen. 2. Cotton swab or cervical aspiration of endocervical canal is obtained by inserting pipette high into cervical os and aspirating secretion. 3. Express secretion onto labeled glass slide, spread evenly, and fix immediately, or, if cotton swab is preferred, moisten swab with saline, rotate in cervical os and roll onto labeled glass slide, and fix immediately. Do not smear or scrub onto slide. 4. Place slide in a plastic slide holder.
Note: 1. The following specimens will be returned to 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. No doctor’s name given
F. Fixation in formalin
G. Air-drying artifact
2. Label container with patient’s full name (first and last), date of collection, physician’s name, hospital identification number (if applicable).
Vaginal Smear
Container/Tube: Slide(s)
Specimen Volume: Vaginal smear
Forms: Cytology Request Form
Collection Instructions: 1. Using a lead pencil, label frosted end of a glass slide with patient’s name and origin of site prior to specimen collection. Observe Universal Precautions for collecting and handling specimen. 2. Obtain specimen by lightly scraping posterior fornix with spatula. 3. Spread material evenly onto a labeled glass slide and fix immediately (make cell spread from the vaginal pool first: fix slide immediately, then make cell spread from cervix and fix slide immediately, before collecting endocervical specimen). 4. Place slide in a plastic slide holder.
Note: 1. The following specimens will be returned to 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. No doctor’s name given
F. Fixation in formalin
G. Air-drying artifact
2. Label container with patient’s full name (first and last), date of collection, physician’s name, hospital identification number (if applicable).
Other Acceptable Specimens
Submit only 1 of the following specimens: Endocervical aspiration, scraping, or brush and cervical scrape are recommended in all cases. Aspiration of posterior vaginal fornix (vaginal pool) may also be used but is not a substitute for cervical specimens. Endometrial aspiration is not advised for routine use. For lesion of the vagina or vulva, scrapings made directly from lesion are desirable.
Transport Temperature
Ambient
Methodology
Papanicolaou Stain
Setup Schedule
Monday through Saturday
Reference Range
Negative to abnormal cells consistent with malignant neoplasm
Clinical Significance
Useful for the detection of cervical cancer, its precursors, and other abnormalities of the female reproductive tract.
Performed By
CoxHealth
