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5 days*

*>50% reported within 5 days - more complex cases may take longer.

Please avoid sending ascitic fluid in containers larger than 100ml due to storage capacity in cytology department

Ascitic fluid should be collected into a sterile container with no fixative solution.

It should be submitted to the cytology department as quickly as possible to avoid deterioration.

In case of delay the specimen should be stored in a fridge.

5 days*

*>50% reported within 5 days - more complex cases may take longer.

Bile duct brushings should be collected into at least 20ml of PreservCyt solution.

The specimen container MUST be labelled with a PreservCyt label.

PreservCyt fixative solution and labels can be obtained from the cytology department (#38430).

Guidance for collection of brushings into PreservCyt solution:

1. The brush should be placed into a vial of PreservCyt fixative solution
2. The lid must be secured
3. The vial must be vigorously agitated
4. The brush must be removed from the container and disposed of before sending to cytology

5 days*

*>50% reported within 5 days - more complex cases may take longer.

For suspected ALCL – please record this suspicion clearly on the request form to alert staff.

Breast cyst fluid should be collected into a sterile container with no fixative solution.

It should be submitted to the cytology department as quickly as possible to avoid deterioration.

Sterile container containing at least 20mls PreservCyt

5 days*

*>50% reported within 5 days - more complex cases may take longer.

Bronchial brushings should be collected into at least 20ml of PreservCyt solution.

The specimen container MUST be labelled with a PreservCyt label.

PreservCyt fixative solution and labels can be obtained from the cytology department (#38430).

Guidance for collection of brushings into PreservCyt solution:

1. The brush should be placed into a vial of PreservCyt fixative solution
2. The lid must be secured
3. The vial must be vigorously agitated

5 days*

*>50% reported within 5 days - more complex cases may take longer.

Bronchial lavage specimens must be collected into at least 20 ml of PreservCyt solution.

Containers must be labelled with a PreservCyt label.

Severn Pathology Laboratory (Bristol)

5 days*

*>50% reported within 5 days - more complex cases may take longer.

5 days*

*>50% reported within 5 days - more complex cases may take longer.

Cyst fluid should be collected into a sterile container with no fixative solution.

It should be submitted to the cytology department as quickly as possible to avoid deterioration.

5 days*

*>50% reported within 5 days - more complex cases may take longer.

EBUS samples should be collected into 45ml of formalin.

Sterile container containing at least 20 mls PreservCyt (for needle washings)

5 days*

*>50% reported within 5 days - more complex cases may take longer.

Sterile container with no fixative solution.

5 days*

*>50% reported within 5 days - more complex cases may take longer.

5 days*

*>50% reported within 5 days - more complex cases may take longer.

Each individual slide and the slide container must be labelled with at least 3 points of patient ID.

Slides must be allowed to fully air dry before being placed into the container.

Plastic slide carrier and/or

5 days*

*>50% reported within 5 days - more complex cases may take longer.

Brushings must be collected into at least 20ml of PreservCyt solution.

The container must be labelled with a PreservCyt label.

PreservCyt fixative and labels can be obtained from the cytology department (#38430).

Guidance for collection of brushings into PreservCyt solution:

1. The brush should be placed into a vial of PreservCyt fixative solution
2. The lid must be secured
3. The vial must be vigorously agitated
4. The brush must be removed from the container and disposed of before sending to cytology

5 days*

*>50% reported within 5 days - more complex cases may take longer.

If possible, please submit at least 50ml and a maximum of 100ml.

Pericardial fluid should be collected into a sterile container with no fixative solution.

It should be submitted to the cytology department as quickly as possible to avoid deterioration.

5 days*

*>50% reported within 5 days - more complex cases may take longer.

If possible, please submit at least 50ml and a maximum of 100ml.

Peritoneal fluid should be collected into a sterile container with no fixative solution.

It should be submitted to the cytology department as quickly as possible to avoid deterioration.

5 days*

*>50% reported within 5 days - more complex cases may take longer.

If possible, please submit at least 50ml and a maximum of 100ml.

Pleural fluid should be collected into a sterile container with no fixative solution.

It should be submitted to the cytology department as quickly as possible to avoid deterioration.

In case of delay the specimen should be stored in a fridge.

5 days*

*>50% reported within 5 days - more complex cases may take longer.

Sputum specimens must be collected into at least 20 ml of PreservCyt solution.

Containers must be labelled with a PreservCyt label.

PreservCyt fixative solution and labels can be obtained from the cytology department (#38430).

To increase sensitivity of test:

1. Sputum should be obtained from a deep cough
2. Sputum samples should be submitted each day for three consecutive days (do not pool samples)

5 days*

*>50% reported within 5 days - more complex cases may take longer.

Please avoid submitting urine from the first urination of the day.

Please submit the whole sample if possible.

Do not collect mid-stream urine only.

Urine should be collected into a sterile container with no fixative solution.

It should be submitted to the cytology department as quickly as possible to avoid deterioration.

In case of delay the specimen should be stored in a fridge.

Less than 1 hour *complex/multiple blocks/multiple specimens may take longer.