Sputum for Cytology

Specimen Type

Sputum for Cytology testing

Specimen Required

1. For a Sputum Series collection:
   • Deep cough sputum specimen in the early morning for 3 consecutive days.
   • Sputum samples are collected directly into 3 separate (1 for each day) 120 ml plastic containers, with screw top caps, containing approximately 40 ml of cytology fixative.
   • The proper container is labeled “For Collection of These Cytology Specimens: Fine needle aspirations/brushes, Sputum/Bronchial Washes, Collection of discharge (i.e. nipple)”
2. For a single time sputum:
   • Deep cough sputum specimen in the early morning.
   • Sputum sample is collected directly into a 120 ml plastic container, with screw top cap, containing approximately 40 ml of cytology fixative.
   • The proper container is labeled “For Collection of These Cytology Specimens: Fine needle aspirations/brushes, Sputum/Bronchial Washes, Collection of discharge (i.e. nipple)”

Specimen Minimum Volume

At least 1 to 2 ml of sputum added to a prefilled Cytolyt container.

Specimen Stability Information

Transport in 120 ml container, with Cytolyt preservative, at room temperature.

Rejected Due To

• Improper labeling/patient Identification
• Specimen leaked during transport resulting in insufficient specimen quantity

Special Instructions

Sputum is the result of a spontaneous deep cough bringing up material from the smaller bronchi. The patient is instructed to do the following:

1. Have the patient rinse mouth and gargle to remove particulate matter and local secretions.
2. Inhale air to the full capacity of the lung.
3. Exhale the air with an explosive cough. Encourage the patient to cough deeply from the diaphragm and to expectorate deep sputum and not saliva into the container.
4. Deposit the sample directly into the sputum collection container.
5. Cap the specimen container and agitate specimen and fixative to insure optimum preservation. The patients full name and date of collection must appear on the container. Sputum samples collected for three consecutive days is done to maximum diagnostic accuracy. Cytolyt fixative is the only preservative recognized by the laboratory for the proper collection of sputum. If the proper fixative is not available, immediately place the fresh specimen in a refrigerator until transport.

Performing Laboratory

Glens Falls Hospital laboratory, Cytology department.

Day(s) and Time(s) Performed

Cytology testing is performed weekdays, Monday through Friday between 8 am and 4 pm.

Analytical Time

• Expected turnaround time is 3 to 4 weekdays.

Specimen Retention Time

• Specimens are retained for two weeks after the results are released.

CPT Code Information

• 88305
• 88112

Analytical Time

• Expected turnaround time is 3 to 4 weekdays.