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Test Code FLC Fluid Culture

Specimen Type

Body fluid: joint or synovial fluid, pleural fluid, peritoneal fluid, ascites fluid, pericardial fluid, culdocentesis fluid, etc.

Collection Volume

0.5-10 mL

Minimum Collection Volume

0.5 mL

Collection Instructions

Sterile puncture and drainage of a body cavity. Overlying and adjacent body areas must be carefully prepared to eliminate isolation of surface (inconsequential) organisms.

Rejection Criteria

Syringes with needles attached; Delayed transport to laboratory; Improperly labeled specimen. Specimens must be labeled with patient name, patient identification number, body site, date and time of collection and initials of person collecting specimen.

Specimen Storage and Stability

Send immediately to the laboratory, or refrigerate if transport to the laboratory is to be delayed for more than 1 hour.

Turn Around Time

Cultures with no growth will be reported with a preliminary result at 2 days and a final at 5 days.

Lab Department

Microbiology

Alias

Fluid Culture; Body Fluid Culture with Gram Stain;

EPIC Code

LAB269

Acceptable Collection Container

Capped syringe (without needle!); Sterile container; Evacuation Container bottle or bag (for large volumes)

Patient Preparation

Sterile technique in acquiring sample is imperative.

Day(s) and Time(s) Performed

6:00am – 12:30am