Physician Office Specimen Requirements

Smears should be immediately fixed in 95% ethanol or sprayed with commercially available fixative. Volumes of fluid (eg, blood) should be avoided.

Note:  1. Physician’s name and clinical impression are required on request form for processing.

2. Indicate source of specimen and exact location when appropriate (ie, left or right breast).

3. Label container with patient’s full name and 1 additional unique patient identifier such as date of birth, medical record number, emergency ID number, date and time of collection, collector’s initials, and type of specimen.