Specimen Requirements

Optimal times for specimen collection must be based upon both the type of infectious disease process and ability of laboratory to expertly process specimens. The Microbiology Laboratory is not as well staffed during evening and late night hours. Specimens collected late in the evening often do not produce adequate growth by next morning. STAT testing is available at all times for critical tests including blood cultures, body fluid Gram stains, etc.

Specimen must arrive within 30 minutes of collection.

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

2. Label vial with patient’s name, physician’s name, date and time collected, initials of collector, and specimen source.

3. Place vial in biohazard transport bag.

4. Maintain sterility and forward promptly.

Note:  Maximum storage of specimen is 24 hours refrigerated.