Specimen Requirements

Collect specimen as follows:

1. Write patient’s full first and last name, date of birth, date of collection, and specimen source on frosted-end of a microscopic slide using a lead pencil.

2. Unroof blister. Fluid in blister is only suitable for viral culture.

3. Scrape periphery of blister with a scalpel or spatula.

4. Smear specimen across a labeled microscope slide.

5. Immediately place slide into a Coplin jar containing 95% alcohol or spray with cytology spray fixative.

6. Place sprayed slide into a cardboard mailer.

7. Complete a non-gynecologic cytology requisition form. Include the following information:

A. Patient’s full first and last name

B. Date of birth

C. Medical record or Social Security number

D. Date of collection

E. Submitting physician’s name. Include names of physicians to receive cytology report copies.

F. Specimen source

G. Handwrite for Tzanck Smear for herpes identification on non-gynecologic cytology requisition form.

H. Pertinent clinical information

8. Place specimen in a plastic biohazard bag and insert a non-gynecologic cytology requisition form into separate paper pouch.

9. Deliver to Histology Department.

10. Specimen rejection criteria is based on improper specimen labeling, collection, handling, or submission.

A. Specimen container that has leaked into plastic biohazard bag

B. No non-gynecologic cytology requisition form

C. Name on requisition does not match name on specimen container or slide

D. Unlabeled specimen container or slide. Two patient identifiers are required on specimen container or written on frosted-end of microscope slide.

E. Broken slide that cannot be reconstructed

F. Slide not spray-fixed

G. Slide stuck to cardboard mailer

H. No physician’s name