Specimen Requirements

Container/Tube: Sterile, wooden applicator; clean, glass slide(s); and Coplin jar with 70% alcohol supplied by Histology Laboratory

Specimen Volume: Smear specimen of inside wall of cheek

Collection Instructions: Collect specimen as follows:

1. With a lead pencil, label frosted end of slide(s) with patient’s name (first, last, and middle initial), date of birth, and source of specimen.
2. Have patient rinse mouth well with water.
3. Use wooden applicator to scrape material from inside wall of cheek.
4. Smear scrapings onto slide(s).
5. Immediately put slide(s) in Coplin jar with 70% alcohol.

Note: 1. Label jar with patient’s name (first, last, and middle initial), date and time of collection, and source of specimen.
2. The following specimens will be returned to the submitting physician:
A. Spilled specimen
B. No requisition form
C. Name on requisition does not match name on specimen
3. Indicate medical history and initials of person collecting specimen.