Manual for Cytology - IARC Screening Group

Appendix: Organisation of Cytopathology Laboratory
➤ A unique sequential accession number that will be preceded by the last two
digits of the current year should identify each specimen.
➤ Mention date and time of receipt of specimen.
➤ Address to which report is to be dispatched should be mentioned in the
requisition form.
Guidelines to be followed for laboratory safety
● Laboratory request forms accompanying specimen should not
remain wrapped around the specimen container.
● Prepare specimens in a room or area away from other work place.
● It is ideal to process all specimens under a laminar flow hood.
● The technical person must wear disposable gloves, gowns,
aprons, face paper etc.
● Inspect centrifuge tubes for cracks.
● Never pipette samples with mouth.
● Keep hands away from mouth, nose, eye and face
during specimen processing.
● Discard needles into a needle disposal container and
residual fluids into autoclavable, splash proof container.
● Before disposing, contaminated utensils must be autoclaved.
● Areas where infectious materials are handled may be disinfected.
● Keep a properly functioning fire-fighting system in the laboratory.
● Avoid eatables in the working area.
● Skilled professional should carry out maintenance / servicing
of all equipments including microscope at regular intervals.
Record keeping and follow up
Record keeping is very important to enable proper data retrieval for various purposes
A system for proper maintenance of registers or use of computer for maintaining data is
advisable. Smears must be preserved for 3-5 years, in year wise accession number after
reporting. This is important as a quality control measure and also for follow-up.
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