Cytology

Information for healthcare professionals

Sample acceptance and rejection criteria

To ensure patient safety and accurate identification, all non-gynaecological cytology request forms, specimen containers, slides and slide mailers must include three patient identifiers:

• full name (first name and surname)
• hospital number or NHS number
• date of birth

Request forms must also include:

• sender details
• clinical location
• specimen type
• date the sample was taken
• relevant clinical information

Specimens may be rejected if:

• fewer than three patient identifiers are provided
• patient information does not match across the request form and specimen
• essential information is missing

Where possible, laboratory staff may seek clarification before rejecting a specimen. The requesting clinician may be required to attend the Cytopathology Laboratory to verify specimen details and correct any errors.

Failure to complete request forms and specimen labels correctly may result in processing delays or rejection of the specimen.

Cervical samples

Cervical samples are not processed by the UHB Cytopathology service.

Samples should be sent to:

Cytopathology Laboratory
New Cross Hospital
Wolverhampton

Sample transport

All cytology specimens should be treated as potentially biohazardous and transported in secure, leak-proof containers.

For high-risk specimens:

• clearly identify the risk on the request form
• attach a yellow risk label to both the specimen container and request form
• provide details of the identified hazard

Specimen containers and slide mailers must be placed in a sealed clear transport bag. The request form should be placed in the document pocket provided.

Orange UHB Cytology transport bags should be used when sending specimens to the Pathology Department.

Transport times

Specimens should be transported to the laboratory as soon as possible to maintain cellular integrity and diagnostic quality.

Where possible, samples should arrive before 16:30 to allow processing during normal laboratory working hours.

If transport is delayed, or specimens are collected outside normal working hours, they should be:

• stored at 4°C
• transported on the next working day (Monday to Friday)

Where possible, avoid collecting non-urgent samples late on a Friday or during weekends.

Sample requirements

Specimens should be submitted as:

• pre-prepared slides
• fresh, unfixed specimens in white-topped universal containers
• specimens suspended in approved fixatives such as Cytorich Red (CRR) or Cytolyt

Equipment used to collect a specimen, such as brushes or drains, should not be submitted to the laboratory.

Please refer to the test directory for detailed specimen requirements.

Additional testing

If microbiology, clinical chemistry, blood sciences or immunology testing is also required, a separate specimen and request form must be sent directly to the appropriate laboratory.

Failure to provide separate specimens may result in:

• delays to processing
• specimen degradation
• incomplete testing

Laboratory consumables

The Cytopathology Laboratory supplies:

• request forms
• universal containers and fixatives
• microscope slides
• slide mailers
• orange transport bags

To request consumables, contact us.

Contact us

For further information about Cytopathology services, specimen requirements or sample transport, please contact the relevant laboratory using the numbers below.

Heartlands Hospital Cytology Laboratory

• 0121 424 1191

Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham Cytology Laboratory

• 0121 371 3314
• CellPathDutyManager@uhb.nhs.uk 

Becci Taylor, Manager for Cytology, Andrology and Office Lead

• rebecca.taylor@uhb.nhs.uk
• 0121 371 3336 

Shabnam Latif, Technical Lead for Cytology

• shabnam.latif@uhb.nhs.uk 
• 0121 424 1191