Specimen Requirements

If possible, smears should be taken at mid-cycle (menstrual smears are not preferred). The patient should be instructed not to douche for 24 hour before the smear is to be taken. Please do not use a wooden cervical scraper or a cotton tip applicator to collect the specimen.

The ThinPrep processor is approved for use with cervical specimens collected with either a broom-like device or an endocervical brush/plastic spatula combination. Please note that lubricating jelly should not be used during Pap smear collection if at all possible. When necessary, it should be used very sparingly. K-Y lubricating jelly is the only brand recommended for use during Pap smear collection by Hologic Corporation.

Specimen Type: Cervix

Container/Tube: Broom collection device; PreservCyt solution vial

Collection Instructions:

The plastic broom-like device is designed to collect both ectocervical and endocervical cells from the cervix as follows:

1. Remove the lid from the vial of PreservCyt solution.
2. To obtain an adequate sample, insert the central bristles of the broom into the endocervical canal deep enough to allow the shorter bristles to fully contact the ectocervix.
3. Push gently and rotate the broom five times in one direction.
4. Rinse the sample off of the broom in PreservCyt solution. Push the broom against the bottom of the vial ten times, forcing the bristles to bend apart.
5. As a final step, hold the broom between the thumb and forefinger and swirl it vigorously to further release cervical material. DO NOT leave the head of the broom in the PreservCyt vial.
6. Discard the broom and replace the lid on the PreservCyt solution vial. Tighten the lid until the black torque on the lid passes the black torque line on the vial.

Specimen Type: Ectocervix and endocervix

Container/Tube: Endocervical brush/spatula collection device

Collection Instructions:

The plastic spatula is used to sample the ectocervix while the endocervical brush samples the endocervix.

1. Remove the lid from the vial of PreservCyt solution.
2. Obtain a sample from the ectocervix by using the plastic spatula.
3. Rinse the spatula in PreservCyt solution by swirling it in the vial several times. Discard the spatula in the appropriate refuse container.
4. Obtain a sample from the endocervix by inserting the brush into the endocervical canal until only the bottom bristles are exposed.
5. Rotate the brush 1/4 to 1/2 turn in one direction to minimize bleeding. Be careful not to overrotate the brush.
6.  Rinse the brush in the same vial of PreservCyt solution as the spatula. Press the bristles of the brush against the wall of the vial while stirring the solution ten times.
7. Swirl the brush vigorously to further release cellular material. Discard the brush in the appropriate refuse container. DO NOT leave any portion of the brush in the PreservCyt vial.
8.  Replace the lid on the PreservCyt solution vial. Tighten the lid until the black torque line on the lid passes the black torque line on the vial.