Preferred Sample Type
Suitable Specimen Types
- Fluid
>2ml
Sample Preparation
If unable to send immediately please refrigerate sampleTurnaround Time
3 daysSample Stability
Sample stored maximum 4 weeksAscitic Fluid Microscopy, Culture & Susceptibility
Patient Preparation
For general aspects of taking pus and fluid samples we recommend that users follow either their local protocols or “The Royal Marsden Manual of Clinical Nursing Procedures”.
Fluid and Pus Samples
- All fluid and pus samples should be collected aseptically and transferred directly to sterile sample containers with no additives of any kind.
Notes
For an urgent sample, a telephone request must be made to the lab. The microscopy result will then be telephoned to the requesting clinician within 1 hour of receipt. Out of hours or for unrepeatable sample, do not use the pod system instead use porters. All urgent ascitic fluids sent to the microbiology laboratory out of hours must be called through to the on-call Microbiology technician.
Reference Range
WBC 0-250 x106 /L