laverty pathology HPV Specimen Collection for the Cervical Screening Program

Specifications:

• Product Name: Self-Collect – HPV Specimen Collection for the Cervical Screening Program
• Materials Required: Laverty Pathology request form, Plastic flocked red top swab, Self-collect – HPV Specimen Collection of the Cervical Screening
• Medicare Rebate: Bulk billed for requests following National prescribed clinical guidelines

Product Usage Instructions

Self-Collect Instructions:

1. Use a flocked swab (Red Top) – do not use any lubricant.
2. Insert the flocked swab (Red Top) deep into the vagina, not just the entrance.
3. Move around in a circular motion for about 10 rotations and then move around other areas deep in the vagina.
4. Immediately place the flocked swab (Red Top) back into the container and secure the cap.
5. If giving directly to your healthcare provider:
   1. Swirl the swab for 20 seconds.
   2. Press the tip against the inner vial wall to drain fluid from the swab.
6. Complete the patient’s details on the request form with all relevant information.
7. Ensure SELF COLLECTION, CERVICAL SCREENING TEST is on the request form.

Any individual who is eligible for cervical screening, as a primary screen or follow up test (after an intermediate risk test 12 months earlier), will be eligible for a self-collect in place of a clinician collected sample. Some patients are not eligible, specifically anyone who requires a co-test (cervical cytology).

This includes:

• Symptomatic patients
• Patients attending for a Test of Cure after histologically confirmed HSIL.
• Patients who have had previous AIS (endocervical adenocarcinoma in situ).
• DES exposed patients.
• Patients who have previously had gynaecologic cancer.

1. These patients still require a clinician collected cervical sample as they require both HPV testing (testing for the virus) and cytology co-testing (looking at the cells).
2. The laboratories cannot perform reflex liquid based cytology (LBC) on the sample if it is required.
3. If the HPV test is positive for HPV 16/18 the patient will need to be referred to a specialist.
4. If the HPV test is positive for other oncogenic HPV, the patient will need to return to their GP to have a (clinician collected) sample for LBC. Request form must clearly state: Self collect, cervical screening test.

Materials required

For self-collect the following materials are required:

1. Laverty Pathology request form
2. Plastic flocked red top swab
3. Self-collect – HPV Specimen Collection of the Cervical Screening Program instructions (overleaf)
4. ThinPrep® vial

Self collect kits containing all the above materials can be ordered from our website. Visit laverty.com.au/clinicians/order-consumables. These kits must be stored & transported at room temperature (15 – 25°C). Please check expiry dates for swab and ThinPrep® vial. Expired vials cannot be processed and require a recollection.

Medicare Rebate:
Cervical screening requests that follow the National prescribed clinical guidelines will be bulk billed subject to Medicare guidelines and criteria.

Self-Collect Instructions

Self-collection:

1. Use a flocked swab (Red Top) – do not use any lubricant.
2. Insert the flocked swab (Red Top) deep into vagina, not just the entrance.
3. Move around in a circular motion for about 10 rotations and then move around other areas deep in the vagina.
4. Immediately place the flocked swab (Red Top) back into the container and secure the cap.
5. Give directly to your health care provider, OR follow the steps below: Flocked swab in tube (Red Top)

The doctor or health care provider (or patient if preferred) must then:

1. Check that the ThinPrep® vial has not exceeded its expiry date.
2. Slowly pull the swab cap off to remove the swab from the tube. Open the ThinPrep® vial, place the lid on a clean area.
3. Fully immerse the tip of the swab into the solution of the ThinPrep® vial.
4. Swirl the swab for 20 seconds.
5. Press the tip against the inner vial wall to drain fluid from the swab.
6. Place the swab back into tube.
7. Re-cap the ThinPrep® vial.
8. Record the patients full name and date of birth on the ThinPrep® vial.
9. Complete the patient’s details on the request form with all relevant information.
10. Ensure SELF COLLECTION, CERVICAL SCREENING TEST is on the request form.
11. Send the swab container AND the ThinPrep® vial to the laboratory.

NOTE: Specimens must be stored & transported at room temperature (15 – 25°C). If the ThinPrep® has not been used the test cannot be processed and requires a recollection.

Healius Pathology Pty Ltd (ABN 84 007 190 043) t/a Laverty Pathology_PUB/MR/1459_A5_V8_May24

laverty.com.au

FAQ

Q: What happens if the HPV test results are positive?
A: If positive for HPV 16/18, the patient needs referral to a specialist. If positive for other oncogenic HPV, a clinician-collected sample for LBC is required.

Q: What materials are required for self-collection?
A: Laverty Pathology request form, Plastic flocked red top swab, Self-collect – HPV Specimen Collection of the Cervical Screening.

Q: How should I store and transport the specimen?
A: Immediately place the flocked swab back into the container and secure the cap. Give directly to your healthcare provider or follow the swirling and draining steps if not giving directly.

Documents / Resources

laverty pathology HPV Specimen Collection for the Cervical Screening Program [pdf] User Guide 1459_LAV_CervScrnSelfCollectGuide_A5, HPV Specimen Collection for the Cervical Screening Program, HPV, Specimen Collection for the Cervical Screening Program, for the Cervical Screening Program, Cervical Screening Program, Screening Program, Program

References

• User Manual