Cancer Cytology
Specimen Collection and Shipment
Detailed information on materials needed and illustrated instructions for collecting specimens can be found in the current issue of the DHHS document, Cervical Screening Manual: A Guide for Health Departments and Providers. Order of collection of gynecologic specimens: the Pap test can be collected anytime after the cervix has been cleaned. Collect gonorrhea, chlamydia and Pap specimens according to local protocol using review of patient symptoms and clinic requirements. Please note: Collecting any other test sample before collecting the Pap test may remove the diagnostic cells needed for the Pap test and render a false negative report.
Labeling and packaging guidelines can be found in the document, Suggestions for Collection, Labeling and Packaging. (PDF, 4.5 MB)
Shipping guidelines can be found in the Cytology Shipping Guidelines document. (PDF, 955 KB)
Please notify the Cancer Cytology Branch at (919) 733-7146 for additional information.
Specimen Identification
Specimens must be properly labeled and forms must be completed. Mislabeled specimens are not processed.
- PRINT patient´s first and last name on the Preservcyt vial. A computer-generated label is preferred.
- Place label toward top of vial with the name horizontal to the vial lid.
- Collect patient´s Social Security Number. It becomes a part of the patient´s unique identification number. Results cannot be reported without patient´s identification number.
- Include the patient´s Medicaid number when applicable. CLIA ´88 mandates direct billing to Medicaid by the laboratory doing the testing. Without the Medicaid number, the State Laboratory cannot bill Medicaid.
Unsatisfactory Specimens
Unsatisfactory due to specimen quality:
- Insufficient number of cells. Usually as a result of excessive blood. Red blood cells clog the ThinPrep filter and prevent the epithelial cells from reaching the slide.
- Improper on unlabeled PreserCyt vial.
- Failure to properly rinse collection devices into PreservCyt vial.
- Illegible writing on vial.
- Name on form and vial do not match.
- Expiration date is past.
- No patient ID number/ Social Security Number
- Failure to indicate patient name change
- Patient history is incomplete
- No return address of provider
- No name on form
- Writing is illegible
"Satisfactory for examination, but limited by..." followed by a statement explaining the limitation will be reported when specimen quality is less than optimal.
For detailed information on Pap specimen collection and preparation, see the DHHS document, Cervical Screening Manual: A Guide for Health Departments and Providers.
