Instructions for Collection and Transport

Specimen is collected by physician and labeled with 2 patient identifiers and site identifying words. NOTE Patient’s name and medical record number or date of birth must be written in pencil on frosted end of the slide. Dip sterile tongue blade in saline and shake off excess. Scrape base of lesion with tongue blade. Quickly spread specimen onto a labeled clear glass slide. Immediately spray slide with spray fixative or submerge in 95% alcohol. If more than one site is sampled, site specific identifying words must be present on appropriate specimen containers. Cytology Epic order must include the following information: source of specimen, patient’s clinical findings, prior treatment and previous biopsy results. Transport at room temperature.