Specimen Requirements

Forms: Order in EPIC or, if from Outreach clinic, complete an Anatomic Pathology Request Form or CCLS Form supplied by Pathology Laboratory. Include patient’s name, date of birth, date of collection, provider's name, hospital identification number (in- or out-patient) or address, specimen source, and pertinent clinical history.

Specimen requiring culture cannot be placed in Cytology preservative.

Submit only 1 of the following specimens:

Specimen Type: Common bile duct brushing

Container/Tube: Falcon tube containing cytology preservative (Cyto-Rich Red)

Specimen Volume: Entire collection from brushing and tip of catheter

Collection Instructions:

1. Specimen is collected by provider.

2. Brushing and tip of catheter are snipped off and immersed in a Falcon tube containing cytology preservative.

3. Label tube with patient’s name (first and last), medical record number or date of birth, date of collection, specimen source, and name of ordering provider.

Specimen Type: Direct smear of abscess drainage, breast discharge, or skin/wound scraping

Container/Tube: Glass slide

Specimen Volume: Slide

Collection Instructions:

1. Using a lead pencil, label frosted end of glass slide with patient’s name (first and last), medical record number or date of birth, and specimen type prior to obtaining smear.
2. Directly apply specimen onto slide.
3. Fix slide immediately in 70% to 95% ethyl alcohol for at least 15 minutes (preferable method) or with several bursts of spray fixative held 10 to 12 inches from slide.
4. Transfer slide to slide container.

5. Label tube with patient’s name (first and last), medical record number or date of birth, date of collection, specimen source, and name of ordering provider.

Specimen Type: Endoscopic brushing

Container/Tube: Falcon tube containing cytology preservative

Specimen Volume: Entire collection from brushing and tip of catheter

Collection Instructions:

1. Specimen is collected by provider.

2. Brushing and tip of catheter are snipped off and immersed in a Falcon tube containing cytology preservative (Cyto-Rich Red)

3. Label tube with patient’s name (first and last), medical record number or date of birth, date and actual time of collection, specimen source, and name of ordering provider.