Specimen Handling Instructions

A requisition must accompany the specimen and include

patient name

date of birth

demographics

Attending/ordering provider

Date specimen obtained

Anatomic site

collection method

LMP date

hormone use

pertinent clinical history and any clinical findings on exam

For SurePath pap:  After speculum is in place the soft end of the broom is inserted to allow the longer center bristles to enter the endocervical canal.  The shorter bristles should brush the cervix.  Once in place the broom should be rotated 360 degrees in a clockwise direction for 5 full rotations.  This technique allows for optimal endo and ectocervical sampling, using a single slide preparation.  The head of the broom should be deposited in Surepath preservative vial.  Vial must be labeled with patient's full name and date of birth.

Conventional Pap:  cervical brush is inserted gently into the endocervical canal and rotated.  The sample is wiped (while rotating the bristles) across the surface of a microscope slide.  Slide is immediately fixed in 95% ETOH.  A wooden spatula is scrapped against the ectocervix and the sample is immediately wiped onto a microscope slide and fixed immediately in 95% ETOH.  The microscope slides must be labeled with the patient's full name and date of birth.

CPT

88142 R (screening)

88142 D (diagnostic)