Test Code QBRONC Quantitative Bronchial Culture
Specimen Type
Bronchoalveolar lavage
Preferred Collection Container
STL-CUPCollection Volume
Entire collection
Minimum Collection Volume
1 mL
Collection Instructions
To collect a bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) specimen, the tip of the bronchoscope is wedged into an airway lumen, isolating that airway from the rest of the central airways. Generally, greater than 140 ml sterile saline is injected in several aliquots followed by aspiration.
Rejection Criteria
Specimen not received in appropriate sterile container; Incomplete requisition; Unlabelled specimen.
Specimen Storage and Stability
Room Temperature for specimens <2 hours old.
Refrigerate for specimens <24 hours old.
Turn Around Time
Cultures with no growth or normal flora will be reported at 2 days. Reports on specimens from which pathogens are isolated require at least 48 hours for completion.
Lab Department
Microbiology
Alias
Bronchoalveolar Lavage Quantitative Culture; BAL Culture, Quantitative; Culture Quantitative, BAL; Culture Quantitative, Bronchoalveolar Lavage;
Acceptable Collection Container
Leuken Trap
Day(s) and Time(s) Performed
6:00am – 12:30am