Cytopathology
PLEASE SEND ALL NON-GYNAE CYTOLOGY REQUESTS ON A PINK FORM AND CERVICAL CYTOLOGY REQUESTS ON A GREEN FORM - both are available from Pathology distribution
Cervical Cytology
Conventional smear taking has been replaced by liquid based cytology and sample pots and brushes for liquid based cytology are currently distributed from Frimley Park Hospital Receipt and Distribution (Tel. 01276 604604, Ext. 4861).
Please fill in all data requested on the accompanying form. This is essential to match patient records and ensures correct management. Please include any treatment even if it seems unrelated.
There are few (if any) clinical reasons why a cervical sample should be deemed urgent. If symptoms or signs are of concern, then the patient should be referred regardless of the cervical cytology result.
We aim to comply with national standards for turnaround times.
Non Gynae Cytology Specimens
All sections of the pink non-gynae request form should be completed legibly.
Clinical details are essential for reliable interpretation of non-gynae samples.
We aim for 50% of non-gynae sample reports to be available in 48 hours. Please do not write urgent on request forms unless the result is required, for clinical reasons, within 12 hours. If this is the case please telephone the laboratory to ensure a Pathologists is available to report the sample, and provide a telephone/bleep number to which the result can be issued.
Out of hours service is available by prior arrangement and further advice can be sought from Dr Louise Daborn on 01483 406613 or via the cytology office 01483 571122 x4260.
Please note that if Microbiology and Cytology analyses are required then separate specimens are preferable, otherwise there will be a delay in Cytology receiving the specimen which may cause a significant deterioration in the quality of the sample and may makesubsequent diagnosis of the sample impossible.
Urine
A single specimen of random or mid-morning voided urine, at least 20ml in volume is required. It should be collected into a sterile dry universal container without preservative.
Early morning or mid-stream samples are NOT suitable for cytological assessment.
Haematuria is an indication for urologic referral, whatever the cytology result. Urine cytology is not able to exclude low grade urothelial neoplasia or renal causes.
Sputum
Three fresh specimens should be collected and sent to the laboratory on three consecutive days.
Deep cough samples are essential but are rarely of clinical value.
Washings taken at the time of bronchoscopy are preferable and should be sent fresh, with 5-10ml volume minimum recommended.
Cerebrospinal Fluid
The sample should reach the laboratory within 30 minutes of collection.
If a sample is to be collected after 4.30 pm or at weekends, please add an equal volume of alcohol fixative to ensure cell preservation.
Serous Fluids
A minimum 25 ml sample is recommended which should ensure reliable sampling and provide adequate material if further special stains are required for diagnosis. Please note, the latter may take 7 days for completion.
We accept fresh synovial fluid for examination collected in a sterile universal container.
Semen samples for infertility investigation
PLEASE SEND SEMEN SAMPLES WITH A PINK NON-GYNAE REQUEST FORM.
Samples should be collected after 48 hours abstinence from intercourse. Please note time of collection on sample pot label.
The sample should be kept at body temperature (wrapped in a small towel) and delivered to the laboratory as soon as possible, no later than 1-2 hours after collection. An instruction sheet is available.
Patients from the Frimley Park catchment area should deliver the sample to the Frimley Park laboratory on Monday to Friday from 8am to 10am or 1pm to 2.30pm.
Patients from the Guildford area should deliver their samples to the Cellular Pathology laboratory at the Royal Surrey County Hospital on Monday to Friday from 8.30am to 11am or 2pm to 4pm.
Please note that there is no out-of-hours or weekend service available for semen analysis. Cryopreservation is carried out by special arrangement. Please contact the laboratory at the Royal Surrey County Hospital on tel: 01483 571122 extn 4376.
Fine needle aspirates
A fine needle (23 or 25 gauge) is preferable.
At least one wet-fixed and one air-dried smear should be prepared fixing the wet-fixed smear immediately and drying the air-dried smear rapidly. The slides should be labelled in pencil with the patient’s name, date of birth and whether wet-fixed or air-dried. They should then be sent in separate slide boxes to the laboratory. The needle should be washed out into a universal container containing 1-3 mls 95% alcohol and the bottle clearly labelled. Please do not send the needle.
A full instruction sheet is available from the laboratory (Tel: 01483 406615 or 01483 571122, Ext. 4260)
Skin scrape specimens
The lesion should be firmly scraped with a scalpel blade, the material smeared on to a glass slide labelled with the patient identification, and immediately fixed with 95% alcohol.
A second labelled smear may be prepared in the same way and air dried.