Specimen Requirements

Specimen will be forwarded directly to Pathology Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. On nights and weekends, fixative will be added by Specimen Processing personnel. Specimen is stored for routine Pathology processing. On site determination of adequacy is available with prior notice by calling 302-645-3100, extension 5244. For urgent cases, page pathologist on call at beeper number 302-441-5997.

Bronchial Brushing

Container/Tube: CytoLyt fixative-filled tubes

Specimen Volume: Bronchial brushing

Forms: Request for Surgical Pathology and Non-Gyn Cytology

Collection Instructions:

1. CytoLyt fixative-filled tubes are available from Histology Laboratory by calling 302-645-3100, extension 3240. 

2. After brushing is completed, extend brush from sheath several times into CytoLyt fixative to remove cellular material from bristles of brush.

3. Extend brush from sheath approximately 2 inches, and cut wire. Place brush into tube of CytoLyt.

4. Tightly cap tube.

Note: 1. The following specimens will be returned to submitting physician:
A. No requisition form
B. Name on requisition form does not match name on specimen
C. Broken slide that cannot be reconstructed
D. Unlabeled specimen
E. No doctor’s name given
2. Label tube with patient’s name, date of collection, physician’s name, and hospital identification number (if applicable).

Bronchial Washing

Container/Tube: Sterile container

Specimen Volume: 10 mL of fresh bronchial washing

Forms: Request for Surgical Pathology and Non-Gyn Cytology

Collection Instructions:

Note: 1. The following specimens will be returned to submitting physician:

A. No requisition form
B. Name on requisition form does not match name on specimen
C. Broken slide that cannot be reconstructed
D. Unlabeled specimen
E. No doctor’s name given

2. Label container with patient’s name, date of collection, physician’s name, and hospital identification number (if applicable).

Transbronchial Needle Aspirate (Wang Needle Aspirate)

Container/Tube: CytoLyt fixative-filled tubes

Specimen Volume: Transbronchial needle aspirate

Forms: Request for Surgical Pathology and Non-Gyn Cytology

Collection Instructions:

1. After aspiration, extend needle from sheath. Rinse needle in CytoLyt by drawing and expelling fixative several times to dislodge cellular material. Subsequent aspiration of same lesion can also be rinsed into same tube, but different sampling areas require different tubes adequately labeled as to location of specimen.

2. Cap tube tightly.

Note: 1. The following specimens will be returned to submitting physician:
A. No requisition form
B. Name on requisition form does not match name on specimen
C. Broken slide that cannot be reconstructed
D. Unlabeled specimen
E. No doctor’s name given
2. Label tube with patient’s name, date of collection, physician’s name, and hospital identification number (if applicable).