Broom-type collection device with detachable head or cytobrush/spatula with detachable head.

The collection vial must be labeled with two unique patient identifiers. The preferred patient identifiers are the patient name and date of birth. Unique medical record numbers and account numbers may also be used if available.

5 days

N/A

Rovers Cervex-Brush collection device is recommended in all cases. For patients without a cervix, a vaginal cuff specimen is recommended. Insert tip of collection device into endocervical canal, rotate device five times in a clockwise direction while applying gentle pressure to the handle, remove collection device from endocervical canal. Using thumb and forefinger remove the detachable head from the handle and drop detachable head into fixative vial. Securely re-apply cap to fixative vial. Label the fixative vial with two unique patient identifiers. Complete a requisition to include all pertinent clinical findings. Submit labeled vial and completed requisition to the laboratory.

Broom-type collection device with detachable head or cytobrush/spatula with detachable head.

The collection vial must be labeled with two unique patient identifiers. The preferred patient identifiers are the patient name and date of birth. Unique medical record numbers and account numbers may also be used if available.

5 days

N/A

Papette collection device is recommended in all cases. For patients without a cervix, a vaginal cuff specimen is recommended. Insert tip of collection device into endocervical canal, rotate device five times in either direction while applying gentle pressure to the handle, remove collection device from endocervical canal. Rinse the Papette brush into the collection vial solution by pushing the brush into the bottom of the vial 10 times forcing the bristles apart. Swirl the brush vigorously to further release material. Remove collection device from vial and discard the collection device. Securely re-apply cap to fixative vial. Label the fixative vial with two unique patient identifiers. Complete a requisition to include all pertinent clinical findings. Submit labeled vial and completed requisition to the laboratory.

Broom-type collection device with detachable head or cytobrush/spatula with detachable head.

The collection vial must be labeled with two unique patient identifiers. The preferred patient identifiers are the patient name and date of birth. Unique medical record numbers and account numbers may also be used if available.

5 working days

N/A

Rovers Cervex-Brush collection device is recommended in all cases. Insert collection device into vaginal canal, rotate device five times in a clockwise direction while applying gentle pressure to the handle, remove collection device from vaginal canal. Using thumb and forefinger remove the detachable head from the handle and drop detachable head into fixative vial. Securely re-apply cap to fixative vial. Label the fixative vial with two unique patient identifiers. Complete a requisition to include all pertinent clinical findings. Submit labeled vial and completed requisition to the laboratory.

Broom-type collection device with detachable head or cytobrush/spatula with detachable head.

The collection vial must be labeled with two unique patient identifiers. The preferred patient identifiers are the patient name and date of birth. Unique medical record numbers and account numbers may also be used if available.

5 days

N/A

Papette collection device is recommended in all cases. Insert tip of collection device into vaginal canal, rotate device five times in either direction while applying gentle pressure to the handle, remove collection device from vaginal canal. Rinse the Papette brush into the collection vial solution by pushing the brush into the bottom of the vial 10 times forcing the bristles apart. Swirl the brush vigorously to further release material. Remove collection device from vial and discard the collection device. Securely re-apply cap to fixative vial. Label the fixative vial with two unique patient identifiers. Complete a requisition to include all pertinent clinical findings. Submit labeled vial and completed requisition to the laboratory.

Needle aspiration (thoracentesis, paracentesis, synovial fluid aspiration, lumbar puncture).

The specimen container must be labeled with two unique patient identifiers. The preferred patient identifiers are the patient name and date of birth. Unique medical record numbers and account numbers may also be used if available.

2 working days

Selective cellular enhancement cytologic processing, cell block preparation and special stains as necessary.

Collect fluids into sterile container. Do not add fixatives to the fluid. Deliver immediately to the laboratory for processing. If a delay in delivery to the laboratory is anticipated place the specimen container in the refrigerator for temporary storage.

Esophageal brushing, bile duct brushing.

The specimen container must be labeled with two unique patient identifiers. The preferred patient identifiers are the patient name and date of birth. Unique medical record numbers and account numbers may also be used if available.

2 working days

Smear with cell block preparation as necessary.

If smears are made from the brushing at the patient bedside, write the patient’s first and last name and date of birth on the frosted end of the slide. Gently press the brush to the slide and smear the cellular contents from the brush onto the slide. After preparing the smear, place the slide immediately into a 2 oz. bottle of Papanicolaou fixative (95% alcohol) and deliver to the laboratory. Do not allow to air-dry. Alternatively, the brush can be sent directly to the laboratory in a container filled with 95% alcohol, cytolyte solution or formalin for routine processing.

Fine needle aspiration.

The specimen container must be labeled with two unique patient identifiers. The preferred patient identifiers are the patient name and date of birth. Unique medical record numbers and account numbers may also be used if available.

2 working days

Direct smears, selective cellular enhancement processing and cell block preparations as necessary.

If smears are prepared at the patient bedside, write the patient’s first and last name and date of birth on the frosted end of the slide. Ideally, at least one slide should be stained with the Diff-Quik method (which can highlight important extracellular material) and one with the Papanicolaou method (which demonstrates greater cytologic and nuclear detail). For Diff-Quik staining, the slides should be submitted air-dried. For the Papanicolaou staining, place slide immediately into a 2 oz. bottle of Papanicolaou fixative (95% alcohol). Do not allow to air-dry. Complete a Cytopathology requisition form to include the patient’s name and other identifier, the biopsy site (including laterality), pertinent clinical and radiologic findings, and the requesting physician. Alternatively, the aspirate contents can be placed into a container filled with 95% alcohol, cytolyte solution or formalin and delivered to the laboratory for routine processing.

Bronchial brushing, washing and lavage.

The specimen container must be labeled with two unique patient identifiers. The preferred patient identifiers are the patient name and date of birth. Unique medical record numbers and account numbers may also be used if available.

2 working days

Selective cellular enhancement preparations, cell block and special stains as necessary.

For bronchial brushing place the brush into a container filled with 95% alcohol, cytolyte solution or formalin and deliver to the laboratory for routine processing. Washing and lavage specimens can be delivered fresh or in a container filled with 95% alcohol or cytolyte solution for routine processing.

Voided urine, bladder washings, ureter washings, renal pelvic washings.

The specimen container must be labeled with two unique patient identifiers. The preferred patient identifiers are the patient name and date of birth. Unique medical record numbers and account numbers may also be used if available.

2 working days

Selective cellular enhancement processing, cell block preparation and special stains as necessary.

Fresh urine and washing specimens should be delivered immediately to the laboratory for processing. If a delay in delivery is anticipated place the specimen container in the refrigerator for temporary storage.

See table above.

The specimen container must be labeled with two unique patient identifiers. The preferred patient identifiers are the patient name and date of birth. Unique medical record numbers and account numbers may also be used if available.

Less than 24 hours during normal business hours.

Flow Immunophenotype.

Caution:

1. RPMI is expired when it turns yellow, cloudy or beyond expiration date. Use only pink color RPMI 1640.

2. Be sure cold pack is not in direct contact with specimen during transport.

3. After the bone marrow or peripheral blood is drawn, please prepare 2 fresh smears and provide CBC results along with the samples.

For local pick ups, please call Medical Laboratory Services at 951-834-9020 to arrange a pickup schedule by our couriers.

For FedEx shipping, place the Flow Cytometry shipping package in the FedEx shipping plastic bag and ship it overnight. Make sure to check the appropriate box for Saturday delivery. Call Medical Laboratory Services on Friday concerning any Saturday delivery.

For more shipping packages or any questions regarding sample shipping, please contact MLS at 951-834-9020.

The method of collection is unique to the sample being obtained. See special instructions.

The specimen container must be labeled with two unique patient identifiers. The preferred patient identifiers are the patient name and date of birth. Unique medical record numbers and account numbers may also be used if available.

7–14 working days

Cell culture with karyotyping.

Tissue specimen should be sent fresh in a sterile container filled with tissue culture media only. DO NOT PLACE IN FORMALIN. Blood and bone marrow specimens should be collected into sodium-heparin tubes. DO NOT COLLECT INTO EDTA, LITHIUM, OR AMMONIUM HEPARIN TUBES.

Fresh tissue biopsies and excisions.

The specimen container must be labeled with two unique patient identifiers. The preferred patient identifiers are the patient name and date of birth. Unique medical record numbers and account numbers may also be used if available.

Same day stat interpretation with verbal report.

Gross examination with frozen section and/or touch preparations as necessary.

Requests for frozen section should be scheduled in advance when feasible. All frozen sections, scheduled or unscheduled, require a 30 minute lead time notification to the pathologist prior to the anticipated retrieval time of the specimen. All frozen section material must be received fresh and unfixed.

The collection method varies depending on tissue type obtained.

The specimen container must be labeled with two unique patient identifiers. The preferred patient identifiers are the patient name and date of birth. Unique medical record numbers and account numbers may also be used if available.

2 working days

Routine processing with special stains and additional studies as necessary.

For all specimens, an adequate volume of formalin (at least 10x the tissue volume) must be added to the specimen container to completely submerge and cover the tissue to allow for adequate fixation. Requisitions for prostate needle biopsies must include current PSA level and clinical stage for construction of Partin tables.

The specimen container must be labeled with two unique patient identifiers. The preferred patient identifiers are the patient name and date of birth. Unique medical record numbers and account numbers may also be used if available.

Liquid based Pap test samples, vaginal/cervical swab, urethral swab, unfixed fresh urine.

The specimen container must be labeled with two unique patient identifiers. The preferred patient identifiers are the patient name and date of birth. Unique medical record numbers and account numbers may also be used if available.

5 working days

DNA Strand Displacement Amplification.

SurePath Specimens: Rovers Cervex-Brush collection device is recommended in all cases. For patients without a cervix, a vaginal cuff specimen is recommended. Insert tip of collection device into endocervical canal, rotate device five times in a clockwise direction while applying gentle pressure to the handle, remove collection device from endocervical canal. Using thumb and forefinger remove the detachable head from the handle and drop detachable head into fixative vial. Securely re-apply cap to fixative vial. Label the fixative vial with two unique patient identifiers.

ThinPrep Specimens: Papette collection device is recommended in all cases. For patients without a cervix, a vaginal cuff specimen is recommended. Insert tip of collection device into endocervical canal, rotate device five times in either direction while applying gentle pressure to the handle, remove collection device from endocervical canal. Rinse the Papette brush into the collection vial solution by pushing the brush into the bottom of the vial 10 times forcing the bristles apart. Swirl the brush vigorously to further release material. Remove collection device from vial and discard the collection device. Securely re-apply cap to fixative vial. Label the fixative vial with two unique patient identifiers.

Broom-type collection device with detachable head or cytobrush/spatula with detachable head.

The specimen container must be labeled with two unique patient identifiers. The preferred patient identifiers are the patient name and date of birth. Unique medical record numbers and account numbers may also be used if available.

5 working days

HPV DNA Signal Amplification.

SurePath Specimens: Rovers Cervex-Brush collection device is recommended in all cases. For patients without a cervix, a vaginal cuff specimen is recommended. Insert tip of collection device into endocervical canal, rotate device five times in a clockwise direction while applying gentle pressure to the handle, remove collection device from endocervical canal. Using thumb and forefinger remove the detachable head from the handle and drop detachable head into fixative vial. Securely re-apply cap to fixative vial. Label the fixative vial with two unique patient identifiers.

ThinPrep Specimens: Papette collection device is recommended in all cases. For patients without a cervix, a vaginal cuff specimen is recommended. Insert tip of collection device into endocervical canal, rotate device five times in either direction while applying gentle pressure to the handle, remove collection device from endocervical canal. Rinse the Papette brush into the collection vial solution by pushing the brush into the bottom of the vial 10 times forcing the bristles apart. Swirl the brush vigorously to further release material. Remove collection device from vial and discard the collection device. Securely re-apply cap to fixative vial. Label the fixative vial with two unique patient identifiers.

Broom-type collection device with detachable head or cytobrush/spatula with detachable head.

The specimen container must be labeled with two unique patient identifiers. The preferred patient identifiers are the patient name and date of birth. Unique medical record numbers and account numbers may also be used if available.

5 working days

HPV DNA Signal Amplification.

SurePath Specimens: Rovers Cervex-Brush collection device is recommended in all cases. For patients without a cervix, a vaginal cuff specimen is recommended. Insert tip of collection device into endocervical canal, rotate device five times in a clockwise direction while applying gentle pressure to the handle, remove collection device from endocervical canal. Using thumb and forefinger remove the detachable head from the handle and drop detachable head into fixative vial. Securely re-apply cap to fixative vial. Label the fixative vial with two unique patient identifiers.

ThinPrep Specimens: Papette collection device is recommended in all cases. For patients without a cervix, a vaginal cuff specimen is recommended. Insert tip of collection device into endocervical canal, rotate device five times in either direction while applying gentle pressure to the handle, remove collection device from endocervical canal. Rinse the Papette brush into the collection vial solution by pushing the brush into the bottom of the vial 10 times forcing the bristles apart. Swirl the brush vigorously to further release material. Remove collection device from vial and discard the collection device. Securely re-apply cap to fixative vial. Label the fixative vial with two unique patient identifiers.