Additional Testing Information

Specimen Collection:
1. Rinse mouth first with warm water. A deep cough, preferably early am (first cough upon awakening). Upper tract secretions – saliva – is not acceptable.
2. A series of three early am specimens is recommended for better yield.
NOTE: If the patient cannot produce a good, deep cough specimen, the patient may be referred to inhalation therapy for sputum induction.
3. Post bronchoscopy sputum should be collected for 2 hours.
4. Complete Cytopathology Non-Gynecological requisition/order filling in all appropriate sections, indicating specimen site, laterality and including pertinent clinical data.
5. Refrigerate if there is a delay in sending specimen to the Laboratory. Send order/requisition with specimen to Lab Specimen Receiving (LSR), Borwell 4th floor.

Container: Place sputum in a prepared plastic sputum cup with cytology CytoLyt fixative. Call Central Stores/Distribution 630-650-6101 (5-6101) for supplies and delivery.
NOTE: The contents of the sputum cup should not be ingested by patient.

Label: Patient full name and date of birth or MRN (if available), as well as specimen type.

Requisition/Order: Cytopathology Non-Gynecological (form F-312) e-DH number LAB13

Required pertinent information including: patient demographics; clinical history; complete specimen identification (type, source and laterality); collection date; tests or studies requested; providers name, location and number is required. Indicate if there is a known, suspected lesion or previous malignancy or any chemotherapy/radiation or surgical therapy.