Advanced Diagnostic Laboratories

Collect

Fluid should be collected in a syringe and transferred immediately to a heparin green top tube.

Specimen Preparation

Onsite [NJH]: Transport to lab within 1 hour.
Preferred volume: 1 mL

Pediatric Collection

Minimum volume: 1mL

Unacceptable Conditions

Specimen not transferred to heparin green top will clot. Count cannot be performed on clotted specimen.

Storage Transport Temp

Offsite: Specimens should be sent within 2 hours of collection on a cold pack in an insulated container.

Stability

2 hours at RT (15-25°C)                                                                                                                           
24 hours Refrigerated (2-8°C)

Notes

Acceptable fluid types are: Synovial and pleural.

Performed

Monday - Friday

Methodology

Microscopy

Reported

4 hours

Department

Core Lab

Reference Interval

Varies depending on age

CPT Code

89051