Ordering Guidance

Mayo Clinic Laboratories' clients need prior laboratory approval to order cytology testing.

Necessary Information

1. An acceptable cytology request form must accompany specimen containers and include the following: Patient's name, medical record number, date of birth, sex, source (exact location and procedure used), date specimen was taken, and name and pager number of ordering physician.

2. Submit any pertinent history or clinical information.

Specimen Required

Patient Preparation: For optimal interpretation, Papanicolaou smears should be collected near the middle of the menstrual cycle. No douching, lubricant use, and sexual intercourse for 24 hours prior to specimen collection.

Only 1 aliquot may be removed from PreservCyt sample vial prior to performing the ThinPrep Pap Test, regardless of the volume of the aliquot (maximum aliquot volume=4 mL).

Submit only 1 of the following specimens:

Specimen Type: Cervical

Supplies: Thin Prep Media with Broom Kit (T056)

Container/Tube: ThinPrep

Specimen Volume: 16 mL

Collection Instructions:

1. Obtain adequate sampling from cervix using a broom-like collection device. If desired, use lukewarm water to warm and lubricate the speculum. Insert the central bristles of the broom into the endocervical canal deep enough to allow the shorter bristles to fully contact the ectocervix. Push gently and rotate the broom in a clockwise direction 5 times.

2. Rinse the broom as quickly as possible into the PreservCyt solution vial by pushing broom into bottom of vial 10 times, forcing the bristles apart.

3. As a final step, swirl broom vigorously to further release material. Discard the collection device.

4. Tighten cap on vial so that the torque line on the cap passes the torque line on the vial.

5. Specimen vial must be labeled with a minimum of 2 unique identifiers (patient's name and medical record number or date of birth).

6. Bag ThinPrep specimens individually as they have a tendency to leak during transport.

7. Place labels on the vial and on the bag.

Specimen Type: Ectocervix and endocervix

Supplies: Thin Prep Media with Spatula and Brush Kit (T434)

Container/Tube: ThinPrep

Specimen Volume: 16 mL

Collection Instructions:

1. Obtain an adequate sampling from the ectocervix using a plastic spatula. If desired, use lukewarm water to warm and lubricate the speculum. Select contoured end of plastic spatula and rotate it 360 degrees around the entire exocervix while maintaining tight contact with exocervical surface.

2. Rinse spatulas quickly as possible into the PreservCyt solution vial by swirling spatula vigorously in vial 10 times. Discard the spatula.

3. Next, obtain an adequate specimen from endocervix using an endocervical brush device. Insert the brush into the cervix until only the bottommost fibers are exposed. Slowly rotate one-quarter or one-half turn in 1 direction. Do not over rotate.

4. Rinse the brush as quickly as possible in the PreservCyt solution by rotating the device in the solution 10 times while pushing against the PreservCyt vial wall.

5. Swirl brush vigorously as final step to further release material. Discard the brush.

6. Tighten the cap so that the torque line on the cap passes the torque line on the vial.

7. Specimen vial must be labeled with a minimum of 2 unique identifiers (patient's name and medical record number or date of birth).

8. Bag ThinPrep specimens individually as they have a tendency to leak during transport.

9. Place labels on the vial and on the bag.