Specimen Satisfactory

Pap smear specimens are considered satisfactory for interpretation if there are:

• Adequate numbers of well-visualized squamous cells present
• Adequate numbers of well-visualized endocervical cells or squamous metaplastic cells (from the transformation zone).
• Less than 50% of the cells obscured by blood or inflammation
• Properly labeled specimens

Specimen Unsatisfactory

Pap smear specimens are considered unsatisfactory for interpretation if there are:

• Inadequate numbers of well-visualized squamous cells present
• Inadequate numbers of well-visualized endocervical cells or squamous metaplastic cells (from the transformation zone).
• More than 75% of the cells obscured by blood or inflammation
• Improperly labeled specimens

Usually, these Pap smears are repeated.

Specimen Rejected/Not Processed

Some specimens cannot be processed safely or at all. These might include specimens damaged in transit, not labeled, prepared incorrectly, or inherently defective for some other reason.

These Pap smears are usually repeated.