Fluid for culture

Description: 
Microscopy, isolation, identification and susceptibility of any organism likely to be pathogenic
Department: 
Infection Sciences Department
Location: 
St Thomas' Hospital
Sample type and Volume required: 
joint (knee/hip), pleural, kidney transport, peri-cardial, miscellaneous fluid samples
>1ml
Turnaround time: 
Cell count (where appropriate) and Gram stain same day. Culture result 2 - 3 days Positive Gram stain and culture results notified immediately.
Criteria for acceptance / rejections of sample
Storage and transport: 
Samples must be placed in a sterile universal container. Place labelled sample in a sealed sample bag and send to Central Specimen Reception (CSR). Samples should be refrigerated if transport to the laboratory is delayed.
Contacts:
Infection Sciences Department at St Thomas' Hospital
020 7188 8008
St Thomas' Hospital
North Wing - 5th Floor
Westminster Bridge Road
London SE1 7EH
Core opening hours: Monday-Friday 0900-1730


For clinical advice or interpretation of results, please contact the laboratory in the first instance.
Laboratory: 
Microbiology Laboratory at St Thomas'

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Last updated: 08/06/2021