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Syphilis, Venereal disease research laboratory test (VDRL - CSF)

$16 | CPT Code: 86593 | Serology Lab

Specimen collection guides

  Blood collection guide for syphilis VDRL testing

Methodology

  • VDRL, flocculation

Acceptable specimen(s)

  • Blood
    A blood sample collected in a red top, tiger top, gold top, or other serum separator tube. Do not collect blood in tubes that contain anticoagulants.
  • To avoid hemolysis, centrifuge blood within 72 hours of collection, no matter the storage temperature.
  • Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)
    Collect 0.5 mL cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) into a transport tube.

Specimen labeling

A minimum of two of the following are required on the specimen label:

  • Patient first and last name
  • Date of birth
  • Medical record number (MRN) or patient identification (ID)

The following information is optional, but highly preferred:

  • Collection date
  • The chain of custody number, if ordered through LabOnline

 The lab will not process samples without appropriate identifiers on the label. Be sure the information on the label matches what is listed on the test order.

Specimen stability

  • Blood
    Room temperature: Four (4) hours
    Refrigerated (2-8°C): Five (5) days
    Frozen (≤ -20°C): Six (6) months
  • CSF
    Refrigerated (2-8°C): Five (5) days
    Frozen (≤ -20°C): Six (6) months

Turnaround time

  • Five (5) business days.
  • Results will be available in LabOnline. 

Rejection criteria

  • Incomplete or missing test order, incomplete specimen labeling, specimen collected in expired collection kits, hemolysis, lipemia, received out of hold time, received out of temperature, insufficient specimen volume, not shipped cold (2-8°C) on ice packs.

Ordering in LabOnline

  • Profile: STI, Serology
  • Testing type: VDRL-Venereal Disease Research Lab
  • Matrix: Blood, CSF

Supplemental information

  • None

Contact information