Preferred Sample Type
>2ml
Specimen Transport
If unable to send immeadiately please refrigerate sampleSample Preparation
>2mlTurnaround Time
3 daysSample Stability
Kept for a maximum of 4 weeksJoint aspirate Microscopy, Culture & Susceptibility
Patient Preparation
For general aspects of taking joint aspirates we recommend that users follow either their local protocols or “The Royal Marsden Manual of Clinical Nursing Procedures”.
Joint aspirates
- All aspirate 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 joint aspirates sent to the microbiology laboratory out of hours must be called through to the on-call Microbiology technician.
Specifications
- EQA Scheme?: Yes
- EQA Status: NEQAS