Specimen Requirements

Container/Tube:

Preferred: Pleural, peritoneal (ascites, pancreatic), and pericardial fluid

Acceptable: Other body fluids must have Pathology approval before being reported.

Specimen Volume: A minimum of 1.1 µL plus a dead volume of body fluid.

Stability: Pleural, peritoneal (ascites, pancreatic), synovial and pericardial fluid have been validated for analysis and follow the same specimen requirements as serum/plasma.

Stability of plasma samples is 2 days at 2-8 ⁰C, 15 days at 4 ⁰C, 3 months at -20 ⁰C, or several years at -70 ⁰C.

Note: Indicate specimen source on specimen container and in computer.