Specimen Requirements

Container/Tube:

Preferred: Pleural, peritoneal (ascites, pancreatic), and pericardial fluid

Acceptable: Other body fluids must have Pathology approval before being reported.

Specimen Volume: 0.1 mL of body fluid.

Stability: Specimens should be analyzed immediately or kept at 2 – 8°C and analyzed

               within 7 days. For longer storage, samples may be frozen at -20°C for up to

               3 months.  Avoid repeated freezing and thawing.

Note: Indicate specimen source on specimen container and in computer.