Specimen Requirements

Specimen Type: Cul-de-Sac washings,
diaphragmatic washings, gutter washings, peritoneal washings, or
subdiaphragmatic washings

Container/Tube: Screw-capped container

Specimen Volume: 50-200 mL

Collection Instructions: 

1. Aseptically collect specimen.
2. Submit specimen fresh and unfixed. (Specimen from outside
Bronson Laboratory Services should be fixed in
CytoLyt solution and 2 air-dried smears should be
submitted.)

3. Label container with patient’s full name, date of
birth, date of collection, and source of specimen.
4. Send specimen with completed requisition to the laboratory
immediately. If there is a delay in transport, send specimen
refrigerated.
Additional Information: Causes for rejection
include inadequate specimen identification, prior fixation in
alcohol or formalin, and specimen submitted in a hepvac
container.

Forms: Pathology requisition; include
patient’s full name, date of birth, specimen source, date of
service, and pertinent clinical history