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Test Code Pathology Non-Gyn Request, Oral Smear Cytology, Oral Smear

Important Note

To order in Cerner place a Pathology Non-Gyn Request and answer prompts.

Performing Laboratory

Memorial Hospital Laboratory-Cytology Laboratory 304-388-5562

Specimen Requirements

  1. Using a lead pencil, label frosted end of glass slide with patient’s first and last name and second identifier and specimen type.
  2. The physician’s office and/or hospital personnel are responsible for specimen collection as follows: 
    • Cleanse mouth prior to collection by rinsing area thoroughly with distilled water.
    • Scrape area/lesion with sharp-edged/metal scraper and thinly spread on the slide.
    • Immediately spray with fixative.
    • Prepare 6 to 8 slides with aspirate, if there is sufficient material.
  3. Place slides in a slide/cardboard holder.
  4. Please complete a Cytology Request Form including patient’s name, date of birth, date of collection, physician’s name, address, specimen source, and pertinent clinical history; and forward it with the specimen.
  5. Place specimen in a plastic specimen bag with Cytology Request Form inserted into pocket separate from specimen; and, if possible, deliver specimen to Cytology Laboratory.

Specimen Rejection

The following specimens will be returned to submitting physician:

  • No requisition form
  • Name on requisition does not match name on specimen
  • Broken slides that cannot be reconstructed
  • Unlabeled specimen
  • No doctor’s name given

Storage and Stability

14 days

Reference Values

Critical Values: All suspicious and positives

 

The cells observed in the specimen received may not represent the true nature of the lesion or clinical conditions because of sampling fallibility. A negative cytologic diagnosis does not rule out the possibility of an existing malignancy.

Methodology

Cytologic evaluation of oral smears is a diagnostic aid for detection of cancer, its precursors, and inclusion bodies. It is useful for detection in asymptomatic patients, in high-risk groups, and in patients with clinically suspected carcinomas. It is also an aid in detection of benign processes such as opportunistic infections.

Days Test Set Up and Turnaround

Monday through Friday 8:00-5:00pm

Specimens received after hours, weekends, or holidays will be processed the next business day.

Results available within 2-4 days.

CPT Coding

88104