The optimal collection tube for synovial fluid is a dark green (Na Heparin). Insufficient quantity and/or clotted samples will be rejected. Denote specimen site location. Must be received within 4 hrs of collection. Mix well after collecting. Due tothe invasive nature of the procedure, it is required that a report of analysis of the fluid be issued even when the specimen is of marginal quality &/or time stability. Appropriate explanatory/qualifying comments are to be added to the report. Confirmation testing and pathologists reveiw will be performed in the presence of organisms and/or crystals or > 10 WBC/cumm.
Storage/Transport Temperature
Room temp Only
Stability (from collection to initiation)
Room Temperature: Receive within 4 hours of collection.
Ordering Recommendations
The Synovial Fluid Cell Count cell count measures the number of erythrocytes (red blood cells, RBC), leukocytes (white blood cells, WBC) and identifies any crystals present in a sample of synovial fluid submitted for analysis. When there are a large number of nucleated cells in the fluid a differential will also be reported. This test is used to distinguish septic joint fluids from synovial fluid increases due to other mechanisms (e.g. gout) A synovial fluid cell count is typically ordered whenever a sample of a joint fluid is obtained.
The optimal collection tube for synovial fluid is a dark green (Na Heparin). Insufficient quantity and/or clotted samples will be rejected. Denote specimen site location. Must be received within 4 hrs of collection. Mix well after collecting. Due tothe invasive nature of the procedure, it is required that a report of analysis of the fluid be issued even when the specimen is of marginal quality &/or time stability. Appropriate explanatory/qualifying comments are to be added to the report. Confirmation testing and pathologists reveiw will be performed in the presence of organisms and/or crystals or > 10 WBC/cumm.
Storage/Transport Temperature
Room temp Only
Stability (from collection to initiation)
Room Temperature: Receive within 4 hours of collection.
Ordering
Ordering Recommendations
The Synovial Fluid Cell Count cell count measures the number of erythrocytes (red blood cells, RBC), leukocytes (white blood cells, WBC) and identifies any crystals present in a sample of synovial fluid submitted for analysis. When there are a large number of nucleated cells in the fluid a differential will also be reported. This test is used to distinguish septic joint fluids from synovial fluid increases due to other mechanisms (e.g. gout) A synovial fluid cell count is typically ordered whenever a sample of a joint fluid is obtained.
