Specimen Requirements

1. Submit a minimum of 1 mL of spinal fluid in a screw-capped, sterile vial as follows:
A. Physician should collect spinal fluid aseptically by lumbar puncture.
B. Divide specimen into 3 or 4 screw-capped, sterile vials (each containing 1-2 mL of spinal fluid).
C. Label vials sequentially. Tube #2 or #3 is generally used for hematology testing.
2. Label vials with patient’s name (first and last), date and actual time of collection, and type of specimen.
3. Send specimen refrigerated. Maintain sterility and forward promptly.