title: [Pre-analytical quality in fluid samples cytopathology: Results of a survey from the French Society of Clinical Cytology].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The pre-analytical step includes sample collection, preparation, transportation and storage in the pathology unit where the diagnosis is performed. The pathologist ensures that pre-analytical conditions are in line with expectations. The lack of standardization for handling cytological samples makes this pre-analytical step difficult to harmonize. Moreover, this step depends on the nature of the sample: fresh liquid or fixed material, air-dried smears, liquid-based cytology. The aim of the study was to review the different practices in French structures of pathology on the pre-analytical phase concerning cytological fluids such as broncho-alveolar lavage (BALF), serous fluids and urine.
  
  
  METHODS
  A survey was conducted on the basis of the pre-analytical chapter of the ISO 15189 and sent to 191 French pathological structures (105 public and 86 private).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Fifty-six laboratories replied to the survey. Ninety-five per cent have a computerized management system and 70% a manual on sample handling. The general instructions requested for the patients and sample identification were highly correctly filled with a short time routing and additional tests prescription. By contrast, information are variable concerning the clinical information requested and the type of tubes for collecting fluids and the volumes required as well as the actions taken in case of non-conformity. For the specific items concerning BALF, serous fluids and urine, this survey has shown a great heterogeneity according to sample collection, fixation and of clinical information.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This survey demonstrates that the pre-analytical quality for BALF, serous fluids and urine is not optimal and that some corrections of the practices are recommended with a standardization of numerous steps in order to increase the reproducibility of additional tests such as immunocytochemistry, cytogenetic and molecular biology. Some recommendations have been written.
authors.affiliation: Département d'anatomie et cytologie pathologiques, institut universitaire du cancer de Toulouse Oncopole, 1, avenue Irène-Joliot-Curie, 31059 Toulouse cedex 09, France. Electronic address: monique.courtade-saidi@univ-tlse3.fr.
authors.forename: Monique
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Courtade-Saïdi
authors.affiliation: Service d'anatomie et cytologie pathologiques, hôpital Tenon, CHUG Paris-Est, AP-HP, 4, rue de la Chine, 75020 Paris, France.
authors.forename: Jocelyne
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Fleury Feith
mesh_terms: D001826:Body Fluids / Q000166:cytology*; D003585:Cell Biology / Q000458:organization & administration; D005568:Forms and Records Control / Q000592:standards; D005602:France; D017408:Guidelines as Topic; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D063025:Health Information Management / Q000458:organization & administration; D006801:Humans; D008370:Manuals as Topic; D016347:Medical Records Systems, Computerized; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012958:Societies, Scientific; D013048:Specimen Handling / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014556:Urine / Q000166:cytology
keywords: BAL; Cytopathologie; Cytopathology; Enquête; LBA; Pre-analytic; Pré-analytique; Serous fluids; Survey; Urine; Urines; Épanchements des séreuses