Specimen Requirements

1. Collect specimen from any body site by aspiration with a fine needle. Submit specimen in a capped syringe with needle removed. Smears should be immediately fixed in 95% ethanol or sprayed with commercially available fixative. Volumes of fluid (eg, blood) should be avoided.

2. Label container with patient’s name (first and last), specimen source, and date and time of collection.
3. Send specimen refrigerated. (Frozen specimen is not acceptable).
4. Maintain sterility and forward promptly.
Note: 1. Specimen source is required.

2. Include patient’s history and/or clinical impressions on request form.