Cytology Specimen Adequacy Criteria

The adequacy of Pap test collection is determined by:

1. Accurate patient and specimen identification.
2. Pertinent clinical history.
3. The presence of an adequate squamous component.
4. The presence of an adequate endocervical component (in premenopausal females with a cervix).
5. The absence of obscuring entities, including inflammation, blood and contaminants such as talc or lubricant.
6. Adequate cellular preservation.

The adequacy of Non-gynecological specimen collection is determined by:

1. Accurate patient and specimen identification.
2. Pertinent clinical history.
3. The presence of adequate site-specific cellular material and/or diagnostic cellular material.
4. Adequate cellular preservation.

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