Body Fluid Collection Guidelines | Calgary Laboratory Services

Body Fluid Collection Guidelines, Excludes Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF)

All body fluids must be taken to the laboratory immediately after collection. Hand the specimen directly to the laboratory personnel (do not leave on counter). Note: cell lysis can begin within one hour of collection.
Serous fluid (pleural, peritoneal, pericardial) may contain debris from the collection of the specimen. It is essential to put Hematology samples into EDTA immediately. For Chemistry samples, please see specific requirements in the chart below.
Fluid collection for Crystals must follow requirements as indicated in the chart below.
If unable to collect optimum volume of fluid refer to the Alphabetical Test Directory for specific test volumes. Samples may be shared for certain tests; contact the laboratory for assistance. ALWAYS indicate priority of test orders on the requisition.
State source of fluid on requisition. If samples are collected from more than one site, each specimen and requisition must be labeled with the source. Ensure specimens are labelled with two identifiers.
Clotting of sample will occur when fibrinogen is introduced with a traumatic puncture.
DO NOT SEND FLUIDS IN SYRINGES (WITH OR WITHOUT NEEDLES ATTACHED).
DO NOT SEND FLUIDS IN TRANSFUSION BAGS, OR I.V. BOTTLES FOR HEMATOLOGY OR CHEMISTRY ANALYSIS.
DO NOT SEND LARGE VOLUMES OF FLUID. POUR INTO APPROPRIATE CONTAINERS OR CONTACT LABORATORY FOR DIRECTION.
See Specimen Requirements Identification - Spinal Fluid and Body Fluid for specimen labeling requirements.
Do not refrigerate fluids.
The chart below summaries the most frequently ordered tests for the most common fluids. Refer to the Alphabetical Test Directory for additional information.

Fluid Type	Test	Requisition	Volume/Container	Notes	Additional Information
Amniotic		CLS Acute Care			Alphabetical Test Directory for collection guidelines
Dialysate	Cell count	CLS Acute Care	3-5 mL in lavender top EDTA tube	DO NOT send large volumes. MUST NOT be clotted.	Alphabetical Test Directory or contact CLS Hematology Lab
Pleural	pH	Respiratory – ACH, FMC, PLC, RGH	1 mL collected anaerobically into 1 x 5 mL red top tube or dark green sodium heparin tube or a heparinized syringe	Unspun light green (mint) top PST tube is acceptable	Alphabetical Test Directory or contact Respiratory – ACH, FMC, PLC, RGH
Pleural Peritoneal Synovial	Cell count Differential	CLS Acute Care	3-5 mL in lavender top EDTA tube, or dark green top sodium heparin tube	Place fluid immediately into tubes after collection; mix well	Alphabetical Test Directory or contact CLS Hematology Lab
Pleural Peritoneal	Glucose LD Total Protein	CLS Acute Care	0.5 – 1 mL in gold top SST or light green (mint) top PST tube		Alphabetical Test Directory or contact Chemistry - DSC
Peritoneal Pericardial	Hgb, HCT	CLS Acute Care	3-5 mL in lavender top EDTA tube		Alphabetical Test Directory or contact CLS Hematology Lab
Synovial	Glucose Protein	CLS Acute Care	0.5 mL in gold top SST or light green (mint) top PST tube		Alphabetical Test Directoryor contact CLS DSC Chemistry Lab only
Synovial	Crystals	Chemistry FMC, PLC, RGH & DSC Hematology	5 mL dark green top sodium heparin tube, not PST	Place fluid into sodium heparin tube immediately after collection; mix 6-8 times	Alphabetical Test Directory
All	Aerobic Culture – bacterial, candida/yeast, fungal	CLS Microbiology	Volumes dependent on fluid type	DO NOT send swabs. Send large volumes (up to 80 mLs) of fluid in sterile screw cap containers. Dialysate fluid can be submitted in FAN bottles. Anticoagulants are not acceptable.	Alphabetical Test Directoryor contact Microbiology Help Desk 403-770-3646
All	Anaerobic culture, includes aerobic culture	CLS Microbiology	Anaerobic transport media (PRAS) or sterile screw cap container	DO NOT use swab. Inject fluid via rubber septum into anaerobic media. Anticoagulants are unacceptable.	Alphabetical Test Directory or contact Microbiology Help Desk 403-770-3646
All, FNA		CLS Cytopathology	CytoLyt® container		Cytopathology or contact CLS Lab Information Centre 403-770-3600
All, FNA		CLS Flow Cytometry	10-20 mL	DO NOT put into cytology fixative. FNA must be in RPMI/TTM solution.	Flow Cytometry 403-944-4771 or CLS Lab Information Centre 403-770-3600
Fluid (other than CSF, pleural, stool, urine)	pH	CLS Acute Care Chemistry – ACH, FMC, PLC, RGH	1 mL collected anaerobically into 1 x 5 mL red top tube or dark green sodium heparin tube		Alphabetical Test Directory or contact Chemistry – ACH, FMC, PLC, RGH