Specimen Requirements

1. Collect specimen using brush and gently roll brush over glass slide.

2. Invert a second slide over first slide and apply gentle pressure.

3. Separate slides and fix immediately by dropping slide into a specimen slide jar of 95% ethanol before air drying of smear can occur.
4. Alternately, slide can be fixed by spraying with cytospray fixative. Hold spray fixative at least 6 inches above slide while spraying.
5. Allow slide to dry and place in a slide holder.

6. Transport to laboratory immediately.
Note:  1. Label frosted end of slide with patient’s name (first and last) and date of collection.
2. Label container (bottle/slide holder) with patient’s name (first and last), medical record number or date of birth, date and time of collection, and specimen source.

3. Please complete a “Surgical Pathology/Cytology Request Form,” including patient’s clinical history and diagnosis, and forward it with the specimen.