Specimen Requirements
Title
THIN PREP PAP SMEAR
Specimen Requirement
Vial with PreservCyt® solution, ThinPrep®; SurePath® vial with CytoRich™ fixative
Insert the brush into the endocervical canal until only the bottommost fibers are exposed. Slowly rotate the brush 1/4 to 1/2 turn in one direction. Do not over-rotate the brush. Then, rotate the brush in the PreservCyt® solution 10 times while pushing against the wall of the ThinPrep® vial. Swirl the brush vigorously to release additional material. Discard the brush. Obtain an adequate sample from the ectocervix using a plastic spatula. Swirl the spatula vigorously in the PreservCyt® vial 10 times, and discard the spatula. Tighten the cap on the ThinPrep® PreservCyt® solution container so that the torque line on the cap passes the torque line on the vial.
Special Instructions:
Include date of birth, Social Security number (or other identification number), previous malignancy, drug therapy, radiation therapy, last menstrual period (LMP), postmenopausal patient (PMP), surgery (including surgical biopsies), exogenous hormones, abnormal vaginal bleeding, abnormal Pap results, IUD, and all other pertinent clinical information on the cytology test request form.
If high-risk HPV is needed order test code HPVMC in addition to TPPLC.
If Chlamydia/Gonococcus is needed order test code GCCLC in addition to GCCLC.
Methodology
ThinPrep® Pap test system
Stability
Room temp: 21 days
Reference Range
By Report*
Turnaround
**Temporarily increased to 8-9 days**
Clinical Use
If high-risk HPV is needed order test code HPVMC in addition to TPPLC.
If Chlamydia/Gonococcus is needed order test code GCCLC in addition to GCCLC.
The combination of a Pap test and a high-risk HPV assay can be used screening of women over age 30 for cellular changes of the cervix. Knowing whether or not a woman is infected with high-risk HPV is added information that will help physicians detect and treat early cell changes that might eventually lead to cervical cancer. Both the Pap and high-risk HPV test results should be used along with a complete medical history and an evaluation of other risk factors to help physicians determine what kind of follow-up is necessary.
Test Code
TPPLC + HPVMC/GCCLC (If needed)