Pathology – Cytology Department |
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| The Cytology Department at the Great Western Hospital provides a comprehensive cytopathology service which can be divided into three areas: Cervical Cytology. The department receives about 18,000 cervical specimens annually, the majority of which are screening samples for the national cervical screening programme. The aim of the programme is to reduce the incidence of cervical cancer by picking up abnormalities and initiating treatment before cancer develops. Diagnostic Cytology. This involves the interpretation of samples of cells that either spontaneously exfoliate (i.e. sputum or urine) are removed by brushing or abrasion (i.e. brushings from the lungs or GI tract) or are aspirated by needles (breast, thyroid etc). Examination of these samples can detect cancer or pre-cancerous disease or identify non-malignant conditions. Semenology. The department performs post vasectomy checks to look for residual sperm and also performs fertility studies.
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PATHOLOGY
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Cytology Services The cytology department is staffed by consultant cytopathologists, biomedical scientists and cervical screeners. The department participates in external quality assurance schemes and performs regular, documented internal quality control and audit to ensure the best possible service and quality at all times. All of our screeners hold the national certificate of competence in cervical screening and are fully accredited to examine LBC samples. We provide a comprehensive cervical screening service, including primary screening, checking and consultant opinion for Thin Prep samples. Consultant medical advice is available during office hours and we support both the independent sector and the NHS. Non-gynaecological cases may be received as fresh specimens or as unstained or stained slides. Turnaround times are 24-48 hours. Results for urgent cases may be available on the same day if arranged with the Consultant Cytopathologist. We are able to provide a range of ancillary tests, including immunocytochemistry. This technique not only augments the morphological diagnosis in difficult cases, but can provide important pathogenetic and prognostic information. | ||||||||||||||||
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Contact The Department is part of the Directorate of Pathology, within the Swindon & Marlborough NHS Trust. The postal address is: Department of Cytology Telephone contact numbers:
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Service Availability The laboratories are open for receipt of specimens from 0830 to 1700 between Monday and Friday. Semen analysis samples Post Vasectomy samples: 08:30 to 11:00 Monday to Thursday. Cytology provides a packing service only for blood samples to be sent to the Cytogenetics/DNA Laboratory, Churchill Hospital, Oxford.
For more information ring 01865 226001. |
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Results Please note that we will need to establish the caller’s identity before giving results over the telephone. We are unable to give results directly to patients or their relatives. Completed results are available to view by authorised users on the Medway system and the Ward Enquiry system. Cytology results may also be obtained by telephoning 01793 60 50 00. |
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Clinical Advice Please contact the Cytopathologists via Cytology secretaries on 01793 60 50 00 / 01793 60 49 99. |
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| Tests Handbook A list of tests provided by the Cytology department is provided in the Cytology User handbook. Specimen Transport Since we receive over 18,000 specimens each year, our efficiency depends to a large extent on the cooperation of our users. Compliance with a few rules concerning safety, specimen identification and transport will greatly help us to deliver the service. Specimen Containers All specimen containers must be clearly labelled with the patient’s full first name and surname, date of birth, the date and time of collection and the type of specimen.The hospital number should be included where possible. For cervical samples please include the NHS number. Pre-made slides must be labelled in PENCIL (ink is removed by solvents in the staining process) with patient’s full first name and surname and date of birth or hospital number. If an alcohol slide container is not available for the fixed slide(s), place fixed and dry slides in separate containers and specify on slide - ' F' for fixed, 'U' for unfixed, to enable the slides to be processed using the correct stains. Cytology fluid specimens should only be sent in plain, white topped universal containers. Exceptions For urine samples, special 500ml Cytology containers are available from Pathology reception with patient instructions. Samples for cervical cytology must be sent in a liquid based cytology (LBC) vial which must be labelled with patient’s full name and date of birth. Request Forms a. Non gynae and semenology specimens All samples must be accompanied by a properly completed Pathology Request Form (green text on white background) giving relevant clinical information, patient location and detailing the investigation required as well as full patient demographics. Please note that inadequately labelled specimens and those not accompanied by adequately completed request forms may not be processed. Please send separate forms and containers for each discipline whenever possible to facilitate rapid processing e.g. pleural fluids requiring Microbiology, Chemistry and Cytology analysis (for malignant cells). Please note: Please ensure that Cytology (not Histology) is circled on the form if analysis is required to detect the presence of malignant cells. The Cytology Department does not perform cell counts. b. Cervical cytology (LBC samples) i. General Practice samples Green HMR101 form available from Southgate House, Devizes (preferably pre-printed if available) ii. Hospital or Community clinic samples. Green Cervical request forms available from Pathology stores. c. Bloods for Chromosome/DNA analysis White Cytogenetics form and green DNA form available from The Churchill Hospital on 01865 226001 |
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Health & Safety 'Danger of Infection' labels are available from the laboratory, and should be attached to the specimen container and request form for all qualifying specimens. This is a necessary precaution, in order to protect the portering and laboratory staff from the risk of infection. The labels must be used when the patient is known to have, or suspected to have, HIV, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, Tuberculosis, Brucellosis, or Typhoid. The Consultant Microbiologist must be contacted before collecting specimens from a patient suspected of having a viral haemorrhagic fever, SARS or CJD. Samples thought to constitute a risk to staff because of inadequate packing or warning may be rejected. |
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QUALITY MANAGEMENT The Pathology Service is committed to maintaining accreditation for its quality management system. Accreditation is undertaken by Clinical Pathology Accreditation (UK) Ltd, an independent external organisation. Details of our accreditation, together with performance data, are available from the Quality Manager. In order to help us improve our service, we may ask our users to complete a questionnaire. We greatly value the information obtained from these surveys, and we would like to thank our users in anticipation of their assistance in completing these questionnaires. |
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