Specimen Requirements

Specimen Preparation    
Transport original SurePath or briefly vortex and transfer 3 mL to an ARUP Standard Transport Tube. (Min 1.5 mL)

Storage/Transport Temperature    
Refrigerated.

Unacceptable Conditions    
Bloody or dark brown specimens. Specimens in any media other than indicated above.

Specimen source is required.

Specimen Type: Monolayer anal pap smear collection

Container/Tube: SurePath liquid based pap test media collection vial

Specimen Volume: Dacron/Polyester swab in liquid media (SurePath vial)

Collection Instructions:

1. Obtain an adequate sampling of anal transformation zone by inserting a water moistened Dacron/Polyester swab into the anal canal 5-6 cm.

2. Using gentle pressure, rotate the swab to sample all sides of the anal canal.

3. After collecting the specimen, place the swab directly into the SurePath vial, vigorously swirling the swab while pressing against the wall of the vial. You may break or cut the tip off of the collection device and leave it in the SurePath vial. For a more cellular specimen, you may repeat this collection a second time with a new Dacron/Polyester swab and place it into the same SurePath vial.

4. Tighten cap.

5. Label container with patient's full name, Medical Record Number, Date of Birth, provider's name, date and actual time of collection, and specimen type. A patient label containing this information is preferred.

6. Place vial in a plastic specimen bag with request form inserted into side pocket separate from specimen.

7. Enter in Order Comment, "Anal specimen, collected in SurePath Medium."

Additional Information:

1. The following specimens are at risk of being discarded:

a. No requisition form or EPIC order

b. Name on requisition or EPIC order does not match name on specimen

c. Unlabeled specimen

d. No provider name given