Rejection-Cytology

Sample rejection

1. In most cases, fluid or aspirations obtained for cytopathology are considered precious and may be unique. 

2. Understandably, it might not be possible to repeat the collection of the specimen.

3. Rejection of such specimens causes unacceptable compromise in patient care. 

4. Therefore, the lab will exhaust all attempts to correct any "unacceptability" before any specimen is rejected. 

Common issues encountered during specimen analysis include:

1. Unlabelled specimens

2. Inadequately labelled specimens

3. Improperly labelled specimens

4. Request form with no specimen

5. Specimen arriving without a request form

6. Unique identifiers on the specimen and requisition do not match

7. Spillage of specimen fluid

8. Contamination of specimen with bacteria or fungi

9. Broken slides

10. Contaminants or artefacts are present on stained slides.

With this in mind:

1. It is the responsibility of the requesting Doctor to ensure pre-analytical errors such as mistakes in specimen labelling, such as patient identity, source of the specimen and other clerical errors do not occur. 

2. When an unacceptable, unlabelled or mislabelled specimen has been received, the laboratory will not label or proceed to analyse the specimen.

3. The cytopathology laboratory may continue to process such specimens, however, the final interpretation may be delayed.

4. The cytopathology laboratory will contact the requesting doctor and inform him/her of any incidents. 

5. The specimen and request form will be held in a safe place for investigation and potential resolution.

6. Delays in issuing a report might occur if any such incidents occur.