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Test Code LAB5001CSF Cytology, Cerebrospinal fluid

Specimen Requirements

Collect cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in sterile spinal fluid tube.
Collect ? 1 mL

Off-Site Specimen Processing
Refrigerate specimen following collection. Transport with coolant pack; avoid freezing.
Specimen Transport
Place in cooler with coolant pack if transporting from outside BAH. Avoid freezing. Place labeled specimen tube inside a biohazard bag with the request form in the outside pocket of the bag. Transport specimen to laboratory within 1 hour of collection.
Non-EPIC clients: Transport in cooler with Non-Gyn order, patient demographics and billing information.
Unacceptable Criteria
Frozen specimens.
Unlabeled specimens.

Stability:

Temperature Time
Room Temp 18-28°C 1 hours
Refrigerated 2–8°C 72 hours
Frozen <0°C Not acceptable

Note: All CSF specimens collected outside of the designated viability limits should be sent to the cytology laboratory for evaluation. In certain instances it may be acceptable to perform cytology testing on a CSF specimen collected outside of the established parameters.

Additional Instructions

If Flow Cytometry is also requested place order as:
Flow Cytometry, non-blood

Collection Instructions

CSF specimens for Cytology may be submitted fresh or in an equal amount of CytoLyt or CytoRich Red Follow standard aseptic collection procedures. Other orders on CSF must be submitted fresh, refrigerated in separate CSF tubes. Tube #4 is preferable for Cytology.
Upon receipt in the BAH lab refrigerate immediately. Weekend Cytology CSF’s: Add equal amount of CytoLyt or CytoRich Red found in Cytology cabinet. Place in Cytology refrigerator.

Place labeled specimen container inside a biohazard bag.
Non-EPIC clients include the request form, billing and demographic information in the outside pocket of the bag. Request form must include patient's name, medical record number, date of birth, specimen source, collection date, clinic and phone number, clinician's full name, pager number, and pertinent clinical history.

Additional Information

Report provides interpretation. Contact the BAH Cytology Lab at (541) 269-8454 for further information.

Test Limitation
Abnormal findings must be correlated with history and other test results.

Order and labels must include patient's name, medical record number, date of birth, specimen source, collection date, clinic and phone number, clinician's full name, pertinent clinical history and billing information.

Turnaround time: 2-3 days.
Test is only performed Monday-Friday, 0800-1630

Synonyms

CB Cytology Non-Gyn, CSF, Cerebrospinal Fluid, Lumbar puncture, LAB5001, Cytology

Department

Cytology