Specimen Requirements

Acceptable Specimens:

Ascitic fluid, culdocentesis fluid, paracentesis fluid, pericardial fluid, pericardiocentesis fluid, paracolic gutter washing, peritoneal fluid, peritoneal washing, pleural fluid, synovial fluid, or thoracentesis fluid

1. Collect 50 mL (minimum volume:  5 mL) of fresh body fluid in screw-capped, sterile container.

2. Add 1 mL of heparin/100 mL of body fluid anticipated (each mL of heparin contains 1,000 U). Gently agitate container as fluid is collected to mix heparin with body fluid. (Clotted specimen is not acceptable.)

3. Label container with patient’s name (first and last), date of birth, and type of specimen.

4. Send specimen refrigerated. Maintain sterility and forward promptly.

Note:  

1. Please complete a request form and include the following:

A. Patient’s name (first and last)

B. Date of birth

C. Date of collection

D. Source of material

E. Physician’s name

F. Pertinent clinical information including previous malignancy, drugs, radiation therapy, and history of alcohol abuse

2. Place specimen in a plastic specimen bag with request form inserted into pocket separate from specimen.