Frequently Asked Questions - ThinPrep® System
For additional information not provided on this page, please call Technical Support at: 1-800-442-9892, select option 6.

1. How long can a gyn specimen collected in PreservCyt® be held for HPV typing?
Gyn specimens collected in PreservCyt may be held for up to three months at temperatures between 15-30º C or 59-86º F following collection and prior to processing for the HPV DNA Assay.

2. What is the proper technique for collecting a sample for the ThinPrep Pap Test?
For the proper collection technique, please refer to our PDF file: ThinPrep Pap Test Quick Reference Guide.

In order to access this PDF file, you will need the Adobe® Acrobat® Reader™ plug-in. If necessary, read the instructions below to obtain a copy of the plug-in.

• Click here to go to the Adobe Acrobat Reader download site.
• Read through the steps provided on Adobe's site and select the correct version of the plug-in for your computer.
• When the download is complete, click on the downloaded file to install the plug-in and follow the directions on your screen.

3. Should lubricants be used during Pap testing?
National Commmittee for Clinical Laboratory Standards (NCCLS) Guidelines recommend that no lubricant be used during Pap testing¹. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) recommends that care be taken not to contaminate the specimen with lubricant² because this may lead to an unsatisfactory result. Please refer to NCCLS Document: Papanicolaou Technique; Approved Guideline and ACOG Practice Bulletin, no. 45, August 2003.

For physicians using a plastic specula, or in instances where a lubricant must be used, take care not to contaminate the cervix or collection devices with lubricant. A tiny amount of lubricant may be used, just enough to sparingly coat the speculum with a gloved finger, avoiding the tip of the speculum.

4. How long are cells preserved in PreservCyt? In CytoLyt®?
Cells are preserved in PreservCyt for 6 weeks at 15-30º C or 59-86º F. Cells are preserved in CytoLyt for 8 days at room temperature.

5. What about sampling during menses?
Menstrual blood can obscure significant findings. It is ideal to schedule an exam two weeks after the first day of the last menstrual period (i.e., mid-cycle) and preferable to avoid sample collection during menses¹.