Sample type
Pleural aspirates / chest drain fluids
Specimen requirements
Send in a sterile universal container
Minimum volume
1ml for routine culture, 5ml for extra tests
Frequency of test
Daily
Turnaround time
Routine respiratory culture - 4 days
Blood culture - 5 days (negative culture)
What to request on EPR
Pleural fluid culture MCS; blood bottle culture (non-blood fluids MCS)
