Welcome to our cytology department information page.

Blue Mountain Pathology now offers pap smear screening by the SurePath (liquid base) Pap method, as an alternative to conventional Pap smears for cervical vaginal cytology screening.  In some studies, the SurePath (liquid base) Pap method has been shown to have greater sensitivity and specificity for the screening of cancerous and pre-cancerous cervical lesions. The SurePath method differs from the conventional Pap smear in the way the specimen is obtained and processed.  

An additional benefit of the SurePath (liquid base) smear method is that it allows subsequent HPV testing by DNA methodology on the preserved specimen vials.  This may be obtained upon request and at an additional cost.

Clinicians utilizing the Thin Prep collection method for their liquid based pap smears may also submit their specimens to Blue Mountain Pathology for processing.

When you schedule a pap smear, here are some tips to remember:

• Try to schedule the pap smear during the mid-cycle portion of you menstrual period; right around day 12-18

• Be prepared to give your clinician the last day of your menstrual period

• You will need to give your clinician your birth control information

• Refrain from intercourse and douching for 24 hours before your pap smear

All of the above tips aid in the accurate reading of your pap smear.

Cytology

Contact Information

Cytology Staff

We currently employ:

• 1 Cytotechnologist

• 2 Data Entry Personnel

Our cytotechnologist is fully trained in all procedures and is certified through the American Society of Clinical Pathology, and has received training for the evaluation of pap smears utilizing both the SurePath and Thin Prep liquid base pap smear collection and processing methods.