Alberta Precision Laboratories

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Organization:

Alberta Precision Laboratories

Test Name/Synonym:

Cell Count, CSF
(Synonym: CSF CELL COUNT, CELL COUNT, CSF CELL CNT, SPINAL FLUID CELL COUNT WITH DIFFERENTIAL, Lumbar Puncture, Cerebrospinal Fluid)

Test Includes:

Includes color and appearance, supernatant color and appearance, total nucleated cells and RBC. Differential will be performed if meets laboratory criteria.

Ordering Alert:

Refer to Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF) Collection Guidelines PX26-02.200 v4.00

Collection Alert:

Refer to Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF) Collection Guidelines PX26-02.200 v4.00

Shipping and Handling Alert:

Specimens are time sensitive.

All CSF specimens must be hand-delivered. Pneumatic Tube or Electronic Tracked Vehicle (e.g. Telelift) systems must NOT be used for transport.

LABID (Connect Care):

LAB142

Specimen Type:

Cerebrospinal Fluid

Specimen Source:

Lumbar puncture; Brain, ventricle; CSF reservoir; External ventricular drain; Other

Primary Container:

CSF TUBE

Alternate Containers:

STERILE CONTAINER

Minimum Collection Volume:

1 mL

Test Resources:

Indicate test under Sterile Body Fluid Section

	General Laboratory Requisition – 21302
	Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF) Collection Guidelines PX26-02.200 v4.00

Processing:

Deliver CSF specimens to laboratory immediately (within 15 minutes).

All CSF specimens are sent stat to the Hematology performing site for distribution to other departments/divisions.

Transportation:

All CSF specimens are transported stat at room temperature

Routine Turn Around Time:

Stat testing is available

Testing Schedule:

Daily

Reference Interval:

See Laboratory Report

Testing Area:

Hematology

Performing Site:

Calgary Zone	Alberta Children’s Hospital, Foothills Medical Centre, Peter Lougheed Centre, Rockyview General Hospital, South Health Campus.
Central Zone	Camrose, Red Deer Regional Hospital, Wainwright, Wetaskiwin
Edmonton Zone	Grey Nuns Hospital, Misericordia Hospital, Northeast HC, Royal Alex Hospital, Sturgeon Hospital, University of Alberta Hospital
North Zone	Bonnyville HC, Grand Prairie Regional Hospital, Hinton HC, Northern Lights Regional Health Centre, Northwest HC, Peace River HC
South Zone	Brooks Health Centre, Chinook Regional Hospital, Medicine Hat Regional Hospital, Pincher Creek Hospital

Contact Comments:

1-877-868-6848

Last Updated On:

Wednesday, December 10, 2025