Fine Needle Aspirates- Other

Category: Cyto

Ordering mnemonic -AB (Cyto - aspiration biopsy)

Breast, Kidney, Liver, Lung, Neck, Lymph node (NOT THYROID AND SALIVARY - Please refer to specific elm page for thyroid and salivary specimens). Ovary - Do NOT submit ovarian cyst fluid if an ovary has been submitted to the Pathology Department.

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 specimen container must be labeled. Addressograph labels are preferred, otherwise the following information must be provided, clearly written in ink:
(a) Minimum of two Patient identifiers -
(i) patient's full name and...
(ii) hospital unique number
(iii) Date of Birth

(iiii)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 the container shall be so marked. The referral lab does not perform testing on CJD cases. For suspect CJD cases,  the specimen may be held for processing until CJD result is confirmed negative. In these cases, a delayed cytology result should be anticipated.

I.3. Place specimen container in a biohazard bag (if applicable). The requisition should be placed in the outer pouch of the biohazard bag.

I.5. Transport specimen to the Triage area of the laboratory as soon as possible

I.6. Inform the triage staff that you have delivered a specimen.

Taking the FNA

1. Expel contents of the needle barrel in the Cytolyt container

2. Rinse the needle by aspirating 2 cc of Cytolyt preservative into the syringe through the needle to rinse the needle and syringe of any remaining specimen. Expel rinse into the container

3. Recap the container and mix well.

4. Deliver to the lab ASAP

Any further attempts at aspiration can be washed in the same original container of cytology preservative as long as the site has not changed. If any subsequent needle aspirations are taken from a different site on the same patient, a new cytology container and order must be entered.

Monday to Friday