Specimen Requirements

Note:  Label specimen with patient’s name (first and last), date of birth, date and time of collection, collector’s initials, and type of specimen.

HEMATOLOGY: Cell count, differential, crystal exam. Preferred: lavender top tube (purple, liquid EDTA). Heparinized specimen is acceptable. Non-anticoagulated fluid will be accepted but results may be compromised due to clots.

CHEMISTRY: Heparinized specimen (green top tube) required

MICROBIOLOGY: CULTURE

 Includes direct Gram stain of specimen

Refer to " Culture, Body Fluid" for more information

Acceptable Specimens

Amniotic fluid, ascitic, joint/synovial, paracentesis, pericardial, peritoneal, pleural/thoracentesis, vitreous fluid, cerebrospinal fluid

  1. Submit 1-10 mL fluid in a screw-capped, sterile container. If submitting a syringe, the needle must be removed prior to transportation.

Note: Tubes with additives and anticoagulants ARE NOT acceptable for microbiology testing.

  2. Maintain sterility and forward promptly to the laboratory, within one hour of collection.