US · guidance
CMS SOM App. C, Tag D5639
§493.1274 Standard: Cytology
(d)(2) The maximum number of slides examined by an individual in each 24-hour
period does not exceed 100 slides (one patient specimen per slide; gynecologic,
nongynecologic, or both) irrespective of the site or laboratory. This limit represents
an absolute maximum number of slides and must not be employed as an individual’s
performance target. In addition---
Interpretive Guidelines §493.1274(d)(2)
The maximum total number of slides an individual may screen is 100 per 24 hours
regardless of site or laboratory. Although the regulation establishes this maximum
number, not every individual will be able to accurately examine 100 slides in 24 hours.
The laboratory must establish how many slides can be screened per day for each
individual. Refer to §493.1274(d)(1) to ensure that the technical supervisor has
established a maximum number of slides that each individual is capable of evaluating.
The laboratory must ensure that persons employed at other sites or locations do not
exceed the maximum of 100 slides in 24 hours.
This 100-slide limit is also applicable to those technical supervisors who examine
previously unevaluated cytology specimens.
Probes §493.1274(d)(2)
How does the laboratory ensure that each individual examining slides (cytotechnologists,
cytology general supervisors and technical supervisors in cytology, as applicable)
examines no more than 100 slides in a 24-hour period regardless of site or location?
(d)(2)(i) The maximum number of 100 slides is examined in no less than an 8-hour
workday;
Probes §493.1274(d)(2)(i)
What records are used to verify that the maximum number of 100 slides is examined in
no less than 8 hours, especially in the situation in which individuals screen slides at
different sites or locations?
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
52719cbe1855638d38ef6e86b8d2814a62101b5fd9ef8ec754abe00a4fa4a16a
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