Specimen Requirements

Specimen Type: Synovial fluid

Container/Tube: Yellow top (Sodium Polyanethol Sulfonate), green top (sodium heparin), and plain red top-Kits containing these tubes are supplied

Specimen Volume: Entire collection

Collection Instructions:

1. Physician collects specimen.

2. Place fluid in 3 tubes: yellow top (Sodium Polyanethol Sulfonate), green top (sodium heparin), and plain red top.

3. Invert tubes gently 8 to 10 times to prevent clotting.
Additional Information: WBC count, differential, and crystals are performed from sodium heparin tube; Gram stain from yellow top (Sodium Polyanethol Sulfonate) tube; and  red-top tube is needed if uric acid, glucose,or RA Latex is ordered.