Fluid Culture - Excluding Blood, CSF, Urine

• A fluid specimen may be from any area of the body in which there is a concentration of fluid, that is of concern to the health care physician.
• Sterile fluids including Amniotic fluid, Ascities fluid, Paracentesis fluid, Peritoneal fluid, Pericardial fluid,  Pleural fluid, Synovial fluid, Thorocentesis fluid, Joint (Hip, Knee, Elbow) fluid, Lymph Node fluid, Bile fluid, Chest tube fluid, Epididymitis fluid, Kidney aspirate, Invasive Abdominal collections, Transtracheal aspirate
• Use the free text comment section to define the exact location of where the specimen was obtained from for a more accurate processing of the specimen.

• Clean the needle puncture site and disinfect.
• Allow to dry.
• Aspirate fluid or purulent material with a needle/syringe from the appropriate area - catheter or vacutainer bottle
• Expel any air bubbles from syringe and inject into sterile container The sample is then labeled appropriately and then sent to the laboratory immediately.

Note: Clinical history is important for adequate testing.

Daily

The specimen should be delivered to the laboratory STAT, with no delay 

Do not refrigerate sterile fluid before processing.

Fluid specimen should not be transported through the automated delivery system.