Specimen Requirements

1. Collect 2 mL of spinal fluid in a screw-capped, sterile vial.

2. Label container 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 at ambient temperature.

4. Causes for rejection:
A. Inadequately labeled specimen
B. Improper container
C. Insufficient specimen volume

Note: 1. Specimen source is required.

2. Send specimen to laboratory immediately, and hand directly to a technologist or another member of laboratory staff.

3. An additional amount of spinal fluid must be submitted if acid-fast bacilli studies and/or fungal studies are also requested.