Specimen Requirements

Specimen must be delivered immediately to laboratory.

If testing will be delayed, specimen may be refrigerated up to 24 hours.

Specimen Type: Body fluid (pleural, cyst, paracentesis, peritoneal, thoracentesis, or pericardial fluid)

Container/Tube: Glass tube or large glass container (vacuum jar), syringe, or a plastic, screw-capped container

Specimen Volume: 3 to 5 mL

Specimen Minimum Volume:  0.5 mL

Collection Instructions:

1. Aseptically collect specimen.

2. Label specimen with patient’s full name, date of birth,date and time of collection, and source of specimen.

3. Cause for rejection includes clotted specimen.

4. Indicate specimen source on request form.