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PRINCIPLE OF THE TEST.
The Cytology Laboratory provides complete preparation and
examination of all types of cytologic material,
in order to diagnose neoplastic, inflammatory,
or infectious agents.
STEP-BY-STEP DESCRIPTION.
1. The Cytology Laboratory provides complete preparation and
examination of all types of cytologic material. Assistance in
collection and preparation of material collected is available.
In general, the staff is available to assist the clinician in
collection of a satisfactory specimen. Instructions for the
collection of specimen are also available on all wards.
In addition, the cytology manual is available
on the VAMHCS INTRANET, at URL:
http://vaww.vamhcs.med.va.gov/
2. The Cytopathology Laboratory is located on the 4th floor
of the Baltimore VAMHCS, in Room 4D-144.
The telephone number is:.....
The laboratory is open for receiving specimens between the hours
of 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. The laboratory is closed
on Saturdays, Sundays, and U. S. Federal Holidays.
3. The Cytology Laboratory is staffed by a full-time senior
cytotechnologist and a full-time cytopreparatory technician.
The cytotechnologist is registered by the American Society of
Clinical Pathologists. She is also affiliated
with the American Society of Cytology,
the International Academy of Cytology,
and the Maryland Association of Cytology.
4. All the staff are trained in the current techniques, to insure
proper collection and preparation of cytologic material.
The cytologist is responsible for the screening of all cytologic
material and rendering a written diagnostic impression for the
pathologist. It is the pathologist who ultimately supplies a
final written diagnosis. No diagnosis may be given until the
pathologist has signed out the final report. These results are
available to all VISTA or CPRS users at any hospital terminal.
Signed paper reports are prepared
for attachment to the patient's chart.
5. Physicians may wish to personally examine cytologic materials.
Arrangements must be made with a pathologist to discuss or review the slides.
SUBMITTING SPECIMENS:
All specimens must be accompanied with a TISSUE EXAMINATION
request form (SF-515) or GYNECOLOGIC CYTOLOGY request form (SF-541).
The medical specimens require a SF-515, and the
gynecologic specimens a SF-541 form.
The form must be properly completed,
and completely checked by the patient's doctor.
The information must include:
Patient Name.
Social Security Number.
Name of the Submitting Physician.
Physician Signature.
Anatomic Source.
Type of Specimen.
Date Specimen Collected.
Pertinent Past Medical History, including
prior therapy, prior surgery, or anything that may affect
the interpretation of the present specimen.
The final diagnosis on every case is rendered by a pathologist,
so that these reports are truly consultations. The forms must,
therefore, contain as much information as any other request for
consultation.
REFERENCE.
1.
Hoeltge GA, Dynek DA, Delahunty DC, McClatchey KD,
Rabinovitch A, Robinowitz M, Travers EM.
National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards (NCCLS).
Clinical Laboratory Technical Procedure Manuals.
Third Edition.
Approved Guideline GP2-A3. December, 1996.
vol 16, no 15.