Specimen Requirements

Acceptable Specimens:

Paracentesis, peritoneal, pleural, synovial, or thoracentesis fluid

1. Collect 1 to 2 mL of body fluid in a screw-capped, sterile container.

2. Label specimen with patient's name (first and last), hospital identification number or date of birth, date and time of collection, and source of specimen.

3. Maintain sterility and forward promptly.

4. Causes for rejection:

A. Inadequately labeled specimen
B. Improper container

C. Insufficient specimen volume
Note: 1. Specimen source is required.

2. Whenever possible, bacteriological examinations should be carried out before antibiotic therapy is instituted.

3. If anaerobes are suspected, an anaerobically collected specimen with appropriate request form must be submitted (see #ANCU “Culture, Anaerobic”).

4. The same specimen may be used for #TBCU “Culture, Acid-Fast Bacilli (AFB)” and fungus culture if the specimen is of adequate volume (6-8 mL) for all tests requested.

5. For cerebrospinal fluid see appropriate information under #SFCU “Culture, Spinal Fluid.”