| The urinalysis and cytology forms have a place to check "culture
if indicated." If you check "culture if indicated",
it will be at the Clinical Pathologist's discretion to culture the
sample based on the urinalysis or cytology results. With all "culture
if" samples, you must attach a completed white Diagnostic Lab
request form for culturing the specimen. The samples should be always
submitted in a red-top tube. Please submit 2 specimens, if possible,
so one can be kept sterile for culture. The second "sterile"
tube for culture requires only a very small volume of fluid.
REMEMBER: EDTA samples of fluid CANNOT be used for cultures.
EDTA inhibits bacterial growth.
Clin. Path. personnel will be responsible for transporting "culture
if" specimens that require culture to the AHDC. If you are sure
you want to culture the fluid, regardless of the results, it is
better to submit the second tube of fluid directly to the DL, as
there is always a longer delay if the cytologic or urinalysis results
need to be completed first before the sample is cultured. All other
samples for culture must be taken directly to the AHDC receiving area.
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