CSF and Body Fluid

Each tube submitted must be labelled with:

• patient's first name and last name
• hospital or personal health number
• date and time of collection
• source of collection
• tube identification number (1,2,3 etc. indicating order of collection)

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) tests are usually considered to be STAT procedures as the constituents are unstable. Because of this, all body fluids, especially CSF, must be taken to the laboratory immediately after collection and handed directly (not left on a counter) to laboratory personnel.