Body fluid culture collection

To help assure result validity, the following collection procedure must be observed:

• Synovial fluid, abdominal fluid, pleural fluid, and other body fluids should be collected and transported in a sterile screw-capped tube or a capped syringe (a syringe with a needle attached will NOT be accepted).
• Specimens for anaerobe culture should be submitted in a capped syringe with air expelled. Do NOT refrigerate.
• Specimens must be labeled with the patient's full name (first and last), date of birth and date of collection. 
• Specimens should be transported at room temperature within 24 hours. Please call our Customer Service Department for the proper transport method if non-microbiology tests are also ordered.