Pre-Testing Requirements - Not required but necessary if required urgently, please contact the laboratory.
Additional Specimen Information
Patient Specimen - Aspirate in capped syringe* or sterile pottle
For cell counts and differential - put aspirate into EDTA tube and mix.
Deliver ambient temperature, to lab ASAP. Do not send syringe with attached needles.Use protective cap on syringes or deliver sample in person.
Aliquot Instructions
Test Method
Microscopy (polarised microscopy if requested, quantitative cell count if requested or if EDTA tube is received**) Gram stain and culture
PLEASE NOTE: EDTA ONLY IS NOT SUITABLE FOR CULTURE
Full fungal culture if requested.
Non-Funded Test Cost
$14.26 (Exclusive of GST)
Billing Code
2125
Microbiology to aliquot to other departments.*Do not send syringe with attached needles.Use protective cap on syringes or deliver sample in person. Clotted specimen gives equivocal cell counts.
