CSF - dedicated sterile plain tube (NOT fluoride oxalate), immediately place on wet ice (Do NOT freeze) and send to Specimen Reception.

Send on wet ice. DO NOT FREEZE! Send other CSF tubes separately at room temperature.

LAB NOTES If only one tube of CSF is received and must be shared with either Bacteriology / Haematology, ask the requesting clinician to prioritise the tests. Explain that the lactate must be collected separately and sent on ice pillow. If the sample has not been transported on ice pillow, notify the clinician immediately to inform them that the test cannot be performed.

If microscopy & culture is also requested and there is more than one tube, spin tube received on ice and forward on ice to RCH Biochemistry for lactate, protein & glucose; forward remaining tubes to RCH Haematology.

EXTERNAL LABORATORIES: 
Centrifuge, aliquot and transport to RCH on dry ice, immediately

Urgently