Submission of specimen volumes greater than 100
mL are requested; greater fluid volumes are encouraged.
Collect one entire bag, bottle or vacutainer of fresh specimen. Submission of large specimen volumes (i.e. quantities of one liter or more) are preferred. Add anticoagulant 0.2 mL of heparin (1000 units) per 100 mL of fluid obtained (i.e. add 2.0 mL of heparin (1,000 units) for 1,000 mL of fluid). Send specimen to lab as soon as possible. If the specimen cannot be sent immediately, the fluid should be refrigerated.