Specimen Requirements

1. Submit 1 mL of spinal fluid in a screw-capped, sterile container or capped syringe. Do not refrigerate prior to culturing.

2. Maintain sterility and forward promptly.

3. Includes Gram Stain.

Note: 1. Indicate specimen source on specimen container and in computer.

2. At time of order indicate if spinal fluid was collected from a shunt in the Special Request section of the order.