Specimen Requirements

Call Missouri Baptist Medical Center Laboratory at 314-996-4222 option 3 to request the Cytology Requisition.

Provider Collection Instructions:

Specimen Type: Cervix, endocervix, vagina
Container/Tube: Thin Prep Vial with PreservCyt solution

Specimen Volume: Adequate sampling

1. Lurbricant:  Use lukewarm water to warm and lubricate the speculum to ensure quality of Pap sample collected.  When necessary, sparingly apply carabomer free lubricant to the exterior of the speculum blades.  Do not use excessive amount of lubricant as it may interfere with or cause artifact to the sample.

2. Menses:  Patients should be tested two weeks after the first day of last menstrual period.

3. Remove excess mucus, discharge or inflammatory exudate with gauze before collection.

4.  Collect:  Insert the collection device of choice and sample the area.

5.  Rinse appropriate collection device(s) into PreservCyt solution vial vigorously to ensure no material remains attached.  Discard the collection device.  Do not leave the head of the collection device in the vial.

6.  Label vial with patient’s name (first and last), date of birth, date and actual time of collection, and source of specimen.

Patient Collection Instructions:

Specimen Type: Vagina
Container/Tube: Evalyn brush; Thin Prep Vial with PreservCyt solution

Specimen Volume: Adequate sampling

1. Provide patient with a labeled Evalyn brush and the accompanying self-collection instruction pamplhlet.

2. Following patient self-collection, ensure that the Evalyn brush is tightly capped and appropriately labeled

3.  Rinse Evalyn brush into PreservCyt solution vial vigorously to ensure no material remains attached.  Discard the collection device.  

4.  Label vial with patient’s name (first and last), date of birth, date and actual time of collection, and source of specimen.