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Test Code LABSILVR Cytology, Silver Stain with Routine Cytology

Important Note

LABSILVR will also include routine cytology preparation. DO NOT ORDER BOTH LABSILVR and LABCNONG.

If ORO stain is needed, write request in clinical information comments.

FOR EAST:  For STAT silver stain requests after hours (after 4:30 pm Monday-Friday, weekends, holidays), the charge tech on site will be responsible for contacting the pathologist on call and/or other designated persons to perform testing.
-Weekdays: Slides will be made after 4:30 pm by the charge tech.
-Weekends and Holidays: Slides will be made by the charge tech on duty.

Additional Codes

Test Name in EPIC EPIC Test Code
SILVER STAIN FOR PNEUMOCYSTIS FUNGI LABSILVR

Useful For/Utility

Aids in the identification of Pneumocystis/fungal elements. Rountine cytology will include the examination of malignant cells.

Methodology

Microscopic evaluation of stained slides

Clinical Information

Pneumocystis causes pneumonia in immunocompromised patients.  Many of these infections have decreased after the widespread use of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) for patients diagnosed with HIV.  However, patients who are immunocompromised for other reasons are at risk for pneumonia caused by pneumocystis.  Histochemical stains, such as GMS, have been used to detect these types of organisms and other fungal elements.

Specimen Requirements

Specimen must arrive as soon as possible after collection.

 

Specimen Type: Sputum or tracheal aspirate, bronchial wash, bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL)

Unacceptable Specimen: Nasal aspirate or saliva

Container/Tube: Sterile container

Specimen Volume: Entire collection

Fixative: Fixative is dependent on location.  See chart below.

Amount of Fixative: Equal amount to specimen collected (50:50) Note: if ORO is ordered no fixative should be added to the specimen.

 

Essentia Health Region Cytology Liquid Fixative
East CytoRIch Red
Brainerd Lakes 50% Ethanol
West Saccomonno

 

Specimen Transport Temperature

Ambient No /Refrigerate OK/Frozen NO

See "Resources" link for additional transport information (Cytology Specimen Regional Transport Table)

Day(s) Test Set Up

Monday through Friday

 

East Region: Stat specimens can be processed anytime.  See "Important Note" at the top of page for further information..

Performing Laboratory

Cytology -

SMDC Clinical Lab

Fargo Hospital Lab

Test Classification and CPT Coding

Variable dependent upon processing technique.

88312-Special Stains Group 1

Reference Values

An interpretive report will be provided.

Additional Information

Container must have the patient’s full name, Medical Record Number, Date of Birth, date and time of collection, and specimen source.   An EPIC order label is preferred.

 

The following specimens are at risk of being delay and/or discarded:
-Spilled specimen
-No requisition form or EPIC order
-Name on requisition or EPIC order does not match name on specimen
-Unlabeled specimen
-No provider name given

 

Place specimen in a plastic specimen bag with request form (if present) inserted into the pocket separate from specimen.