Specimen:

Various

Collection Medium:

Testing
Schedule:

0700-1630, 7 days a week, including holidays.

Comments:

Acceptable specimens:  lesions, cervial, rectal, oral, tissue biopsy, 
respiratory and sterile fluid.  HSV culture will NOT be performed on 
CSF specimens.  CSF specimens will have HSVPCR performed by the 
Molecular Pathology Department.

See 'Viral Cultures' for collection guidelines.  Transport media 
available from UIDL Client Services, 1-866-844-2522.  Cultures are held 
for seven days.

Methodology:

Shell vial and standard tube culture

Sample
Processing:

Immediately place specimen into vial of transport media and seal 
tightly.
Indicate specimen/fluid type on requisition.
Specimen should be collected and packaged as close to shipping time as 
possible.
Specimen source is required on requisition for processing.
Label transport tube with two patient identifiers, date and time of 
collection.
Maintain sterility and forward promptly to lab.
Submit in sterile transport container.
Submit in leakproof container.

Sample
Storage:

Refrigerate up to 24 hours.
Specimen cannot be frozen.

Transport
Instructions:

Place requisition into outside pocket of bag.
Place coolant packs into styrofoam container.
Recommend express mail or equivalent if not on courier service.

CPT Code:

87252

See also:
Viral Culture