Specimen Collection Pap Testing
The optimal time for collection is two weeks after the first day
of the last menstrual period. The patient should be instructed not to use
vaginal medications, spermicides or douches 48 hrs. prior to collection. The
patient should also refrain from intercourse 24 hrs. prior to
collection. Do not use lubricant as it obscures cellular detail on
pap smears and disrupts SurePath Pap Test processing. Only approved
water-soluble, carbomer-free lubricants may be used and sparingly for ThinPrep
Pap specimens.
All
specimens (SurePath vials, ThinPrep vials or slides) must be properly labeled
with the first and last name of the patient (no nicknames please), a second
unique identifier (either date of birth or MR #), and the source. Slides
must be labeled with #2 pencil on the frosted end of the
slide. Unlabeled specimens will be rejected. Mislabeled
specimens may be verified by the provider via fax or may be rejected depending
upon the discrepancy. If rejected, a report will be issued
indicating this.
Specimens
must be accompanied by a completed Cytology and Surgical Requisition form.
All
supplies may be ordered, at no cost, through Dahl-Chase Purchasing (941-8202)
COLLECTION TECHNIQUE FOR SUREPATH PAP TEST*
(Rovers Cervex-Brush® aka "cervical broom")
- Label SurePath
Pap Test vial with patient's full name, a second unique identifier (either
date of birth or MR #), and source.
- Insert the
Rovers Cervex-Brush® (aka "cervical broom") into the
endocervical canal. Apply gentle pressure until the bristles
form against the cervix.
- Maintaining
gentle pressure, hold the stem between the thumb and forefinger.
- Rotate brush
five times in a clockwise direction and withdraw from canal.
- Placing your
thumb against the back of the broom tip, disconnect the entire broom from
the stem and put the white broom into the SurePath vial. It is
very important to note that this broom MUST be in the vial in
order for us to process the specimen. The specimen will be
rejected if the broom is not present.
- Place the cap on
the vial and tighten.
- Place vial in
biohazard bag, and place completed Cytology gynecologic requisition in the
outer pouch of bag.
If you are unable to use the broom (Rovers
Cervex-Brush) on a patient, you may use a combination brush/plastic spatula
kit. The cytobrush and spatula must be used together and the
tips of both devices must be left in the vial. The spatula is rotated one
complete turnaround the cervix and the cytobrush is rotated 1/2 turn in the
endocervix. The tips of BOTH devices snap off and must be left in the
vial.
**Please note that the use of the brush/spatula without the
cervical broom is not FDA approved for HPV testing, so it is recommended that
you use the cervical broom first, followed by the brush and/or spatula if HPV
is requested and you are unable to get an adequate sample with the broom
alone.
* Vaginal Collection - Due to FDA validation
requirements, Dahl-Chase will require either the broom OR BOTH the
brush and spatula together in the vial in order to process
the specimen.
COLLECTION
TECHNIQUE FOR THINPREP PAP TEST
(protocol: endocervical brush/spatula)
- Obtain an
adequate sample from the ectocervix using a plastic spatula. If
desired, use lukewarm water to warm and lubricate the
speculum. Apply water-soluble, carbomer-free gel lubricant
sparingly to the posterior blade of the speculum if necessary.
- Rinse the
spatula as quickly as possible into the PreservCyt Solution vial by
swirling the spatula vigorously in the vial 10 times. Discard
the spatula.
- Obtain an
adequate sample from the endocervix using an endocervical brush
device. Insert the brush into the cervix until only the
bottom-most fibers are exposed. Slowly rotate 1/4 or 1/2 turn
in one direction. DO NOT OVER-ROTATE THE BRUSH.
- Rinse the brush
as soon as possible in the PreservCyt Solution by rotating the device in
the solution 10 times while pushing it against the PreservCyt vial
wall. Swirl the brush vigorously to further release
material. Discard the brush.
- Tighten the cap
so that the torque line on the cap passes the torque line on the vial.
- Record the
patient's name and second identifier on the vial. Record the patient
information and medical history on the cytology requisition form.
- Place the vial
and requisition in a specimen bag for transport to the laboratory.
**Please
note that the use of the cervical broom is not FDA approved for HPV testing on
ThinPrep specimens, so it is recommended that you use the brush/spatula if
HPV is requested.
If you need results immediately on a pap, you may order it as a
RUSH specimen. Some examples of times when this may be warranted
are: If the patient is awaiting a surgical procedure pending the results of
this pap or if HPV testing is needed and the pap is nearing the 4 week
expiration date.
