Specimen Type/Requirements

Cytolyt - Body Fluid 

or 

Fresh Blody Fluid

Specimen fixed in ~1:1 ratio with CytoLyt or refrigerated if fresh.

NOTE: Do not add CytoLyt to CSF specimens.

Collection Instructions:

1. Gather prefilled CytoLyt vial or sterile container.
2. Obtain sample and place into labeled container.
   1. Brushings (not Anap Pap):
      1. Immediately cut off tip and place into CytoLyt to minimize exposure to air.
      2. If additional brushings are collected from the same site, repeat using same specimen container.
      3. Use a new vial for each additional site.
   2. Anal Pap
      1. Swirl collection device in ThinPrep vial to remove cells and then discard device. Do not snip off and send in vial.
   3. Direct Smears (Nipple, Tzanck)
      1. Label charged slides with 2 patient identifiers using a chemical resistant slide marker.
      2. Immediately fix slides in 95% alcohol.
   4. Fluids
      1. CytoLyt available – maintain approximately 1:1 ration CytoLyt to specimen (is okay to have slightly more fixative than specimen).
      2. CytoLyt unavailable – refrigerate specimen as quickly as possible and send to lab
3. Label specimen container in presence of the patient at the time of collection and prior to delivering to lab.
   1. Two unique patient identifiers (Name, MRN, or DOB)
   2. Specimen source and method of collection
   3. Collection date & time