Cellular Pathology: Specimen labelling

A minimum acceptance criteria for all Cellular Pathology samples of three patient identifiers must be provided for all samples.

Sample site must be provided in both request form and sample pot, if multiple pots are sent all must be clearly labelled (e.g. A, B, C).

All Cytology request forms, sample containers, glass slides and slide boxes must be labelled and completed as per the following

Acceptance criteria

Cytology Request forms, sample containers/ slides/ slide mailer boxes must have a minimum of 3 key Patient identifiers, and these Patient identifiers must include:

• Full name (first name & surname)
• A unique patient identification number, Hospital, NHS or
• Date of birth

Rejection criteria

Samples will be rejected if:

• The request form has less than 3 of the key patient identifiers
• The sample container / slide / slide mailer box has less than 2 key patient identifiers
• The patient data on the form and sample container do not match.

Cytology request forms and samples containers / slides / slide boxes that do not meet these standards will need verifying by a senior clinician. And in such cases the requesting clinician will be asked to visit the Diagnostic Cytology department to verify the request form and specimen or complete a Specimen deficiency form accepting responsibility for any clinical decisions that are made based on the results of the sample submitted.

Please ensure the correct sample containers are used.