Brushing for Cytology

Test Name

Brushing for Cytology (Bronchial, Esophageal, Gastric, Renal Pelvis, Ureter)

Alternate Name(s)  
Laboratory Module

Cytology

Ordering Mnemonic

Meditech order/entry screen, cytology category: BRUSH

Specimen Type

Bronchial- B, Esophageal-E, Gastric- G, Renal Pelvis-RP, Ureter- UR, Other-O

Collection Container

Clear glass slides or clipped brush in a dry sterile container containing CytoLyt fixative.

Container Information
Cytology container containing CytoLyt fixative
Collection Information

Brushing Collection

Brushing specimens are collected by brushing the area of interest identified during the endoscope procedure and then by rolling the brush across the glass slide rapidly, pressing firmly in a small area in a circular motion. The slides must then be fixed immediately with a spray fixative. Optionally the brush may be clipped at the end into a dry sterile container with fixative or balanced salt solution.

Multiple sites may be sampled. Each specimen from a different area required a separate requisition. For example if there was a right upper lobe (RUL) brushing and a right lower lobe (RLL) brushing, each sample would require a separate requisition.

I.1.All specimens must be accompanied by a completed manual or Meditech generated cyto-pathology non-gynecological requisition. All mandatory fields must be satisfied in order to complete the request. In the case of computer downtime use the standard cytopathology non-gynecological requisition.

The following information is required on the requisition
(a) Patient identifiers (addressographs may be used)

(i) patient's first and last name
(ii) hospital unique number
(iii) date of birth
(iv) Ontario Health Insurance Number with version code.
(b) Submitting area identifiers: Hospital site (BGH or The Willett) and the submitting department (Emergency, Ambulatory Care etc.).
(c) Submitting physician's name.
(d) Date of specimen collection
(e) Pre- and post-operative presumptive diagnosis.
(f) A brief clinical history, relevant pathological and radiological findings.
(g) Specimen information
(i) specimen type/source
(ii) specimen site
I.2.The slides must be labelled with the patient's name, specimen type and site.
I.3. If received, the specimen container must be labeled. Addressograph labels are preferred, otherwise the following information must be provided, clearly written in ink:
(a) Patient identifiers -
(i) patient's full name
(ii) hospital unique number
(iii) and at least one other unique additional identifier (ie. date of birth, OHIN).
(b) Date of specimen collection.
(c) Specimen type and site, as it is written on the Cytology Requisition form.
This information must be recorded on the side of the specimen container and not the lid.
If a specimen is known or suspected to contain unique or extreme biohazard (e.g. CJD) the container shall be so marked.

I.4.Place the fixed and dried labeled slides in a cardboard slide holder. Attach an addressograph label on the outside of the holder.

I.5. Place specimen containers in a biohazard bag (if applicable). The requisition should be placed in the outer pouch of the biohazard bag.

I.6. Transport specimen to the Triage area of the laboratory as soon as possible

I.7. Inform the triage staff that you have delivered a specimen.

 

 

Test Schedule

Monday to Friday 

Routine Turnaround Time 1 week
Stat Turnaround Time 2 days
Reference Interval  
Critical Values  
Lab Process Notes

Brushings (esophageal, bronchial, pelvis, ureter) Glass slides are to be stored at room temperature. If brushes are received in a sterile container with fixative, refrigerate immediately. If received alone or in a balanced salt solution after hours, add equal volume of cytology fixative.

Storage and Transport

Specimens should be stored in the refrigerator

Test Referred To Referred off site for technical processing

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