Specimen:

CSF, Blood

Collection Medium:

Minimum:

5 ml; red top or 0.5 ml; CSF

Testing
Schedule:

0700-2200, 7 days a week, including holidays.

Analytic Time:

6 hours (upon receipt in laboratory)

Comments:

Test done daily.  Test is performed primarily on neonates.  Requests on 
patients >6 months of age require laboratory approval.

Methodology:

Latex agglutination - antigen detction

Sample
Processing:

Indicate specimen/fluid type on requisition.
Submit whole blood in original container.
Label transport tube with two patient identifiers, date and time of 
collection.
Maintain sterility and forward promptly to lab.
Specimen should be collected and packaged as close to shipping time as 
possible.
Submit in sterile transport container.

Sample
Storage:

Refrigerate up to 24 hours.

Transport
Instructions:

Coolant packs up to 8 hours.
Place requisition into outside pocket of bag.
Place specimen into zip-lock type bag, seal bag.
Recommend express mail or equivalent if not on courier service.

Instructions:

The processing instructions above apply to CSF samples.  Storage and 
tranport is the same for both CSF and Blood.
For Blood samples:  Label transport tube with patient I.D., date and 
time of collection.  Specimen should be collected and packaged as close 
to shipping time as possible.

CPT Code:

86403