US · guidance
CMS SOM App. C, Tag D5617
§493.1274 Standard: Cytology
(b)(2) Effective measures to prevent cross-contamination between gynecologic and
nongynecologic specimens during the staining process must be used.
Interpretive Guidelines §493.1274(b)(2)
The laboratory must develop its own policies and procedures for the prevention of cross-contamination between gynecologic and nongynecologic specimens. The majority of
gynecologic specimens are fixed prior to transport to the laboratory. Staining times may
differ between gynecologic and nongynecologic specimens. Commonly used methods
include separate staining dishes for various specimens (i.e., gynecologic specimens, CSF,
sputa, other body fluids), or separate staining times (i.e., gynecologic specimens in the
morning and nongynecologic specimens in the afternoon), with the staining dishes
washed and stains filtered between staining times.
Probes §493.1274(b)(2)
What does the laboratory do to ensure that cross-contamination between gynecologic and
nongynecologic specimens does not occur?
History
Rev. 233; Issued: 09-12-25; Effective: 09-12-25; Implementation: 09-12-25
Provenance
- Source
- cms.gov
- Retrieved
- 2026-07-22
- Edition
- som-2026-07-22
- Content hash
7015fd6b54c6846f880023daf55170e4deca8548b246022c5f596950a0f614ea
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