Correct labelling of cervical smear specimens essential

Smear takers must be vigilant in correctly labelling laboratory request forms and specimen vials to ensure women can avoid a repeat smear. Things to watch for include:

• mixing up mothers and daughters who live at the same address and may also have the same name, but a different date of birth
• a date of birth that is inconsistent between the request form and the vial, or using today’s date instead of the date of birth
• details that don't match on the request form and vial – the form is for one woman, but the vial is labelled with another woman's details
• request form labelled with ‘correct’ name but the vial labelled with the woman’s ‘preferred’ name
• missing NHI numbers or date of birth
• completely unlabelled specimen vials.

The provision of sufficient accurate information on both the liquid-based cytology vial and the laboratory referral form is essential to allow the laboratory to unequivocally identify the woman and safely process the smear to ensure the results provided are reliable.

Specimens submitted for gynaecological cytology/human papillomavirus or histological examination must be permanently marked to ensure unambiguous identification with the laboratory referral form. The minimum information required on the liquid based cytology vial (or histology formalin vial for biopsy) is the woman’s:

• family or surname and given names, and
• NHI number.  Ideally, date of birth will be included too.

The woman’s street address must be supplied on the laboratory request form so National Cervical Screening Programme Register letters can be sent.