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Specimen Collection Manual and Test Catalog

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BRONCHOALVEOLAR LAVAGE (BAL) CYTOLOGY WITH OIL RED O STAIN FOR LIPID LADEN MACROPHAGES

Geisinger Epic Procedure Code:  LAB4098    Geisinger Epic ID:  17605

SPECIMEN COLLECTION
Specimen type: 

Fresh bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) specimen (do not add fixative).


Preferred collection container: 
Specimen required: 

Fresh lavage specimens. Do not add fixative.


Special notes: 

Note on requisition: Determine presence of lipid-laden macrophages.



SPECIMEN PROCESSING
Processing instructions: 

Collect bronch lavage specimen in sterile specimen container. Label with two patient identifiers. DO NOT add fixative.


Transport temperature: 

Room temperature. Refrigerate if delay in delivery to the laboratory.


Rejection criteria: 

Inadequate patient identifiers on specimen, unlabeled specimen, discrepancy between patient specimen and requisition information, improper collection. Specimen with fixative added.



TEST DETAILS
CPT code(s):  88313, 88112, 88305, 89051
Note: The billing party has sole responsibility for CPT coding.  Any questions regarding coding should be directed to the payer being billed.
The CPT codes provided by GML are based on AMA guidelines and are for informational purposes only.

Test includes: 

Microscopic evaluation of cytologic preparation specimens and special stained preparation for Oil-Red-O to detect lipid vacuoles in the pulmonary macrophages.


Synonyms: 

BAL, oil red, lipid, Bronchoalveolar lavage


Clinical significance: 

For detection and characterization of lipid-laden macrophages (Oil-Red-O).


Doctoral Director(s): 
Sara Monaco MD
Review Date:  10/25/2024

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