Specimen Requirements

Collect only 1 sputum specimen per day. Multiple specimen orders should be collected on consecutive days. Multiple specimen orders collected on same day will be combined.

 

Specimen Type: Sputum-Saliva is not acceptable.

Container/Tube: Screw-capped container with Cytolyt fixative
Specimen Volume: Adequate sampling

Collection Instructions:
1. Label container with patient’s name (first and last), date of birth, date and actual time of collection, and source of specimen.

2. If Cytolyt fixative is not available, refrigerate specimen immediately.
Forms: Cytology Request Form in Request Forms in Special Instructions.