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Specimen Collection Manual and Test Catalog

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CULTURE, BRONCHIAL, QUANTITATIVE

Geisinger Epic Procedure Code:  LAB2125    Geisinger Epic ID:  19409

SPECIMEN COLLECTION
Specimen type: 

Bronchial lavages and washing, lung lavages and washing


Preferred collection container: 
Specimen required: 

0.5 mL lavage/washing


Special notes: 

Includes Gram stain.



SPECIMEN PROCESSING
Transport temperature: 

Room temperature


Specimen stability: 

Room temperature, < 24 hours


Rejection criteria: 

Improperly labeled/identified specimens. Grossly contaminated specimens. Delay in transport or transport at incorrect temperature.



TEST DETAILS
Reference interval: 

Normal pharyngeal flora, or less than 1000 col/mL = No growth


CPT code(s):  87071, 87205
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: 

Isolation, identification, and quantitation of aerobic respiratory pathogens. Bacterial identification and antibiotic susceptibility testing performed as appropriate. Additional charges may apply. Includes Gram stain.


Methodology: 
Culture
Synonyms: 

BRONCH, QBR, BRONCH WASH, BRONCH LAVAGE, CULTURE


Clinical significance: 

Quantitative culture of BAL/washings are used to establish a bacterial etiology of pulmonary disease. Detection of > 104 CFU/mL of a respiratory tract pathogen is considered a positive test result, with antimicrobial susceptibility testing performed when clinically indicated.


Doctoral Director(s): 
Donna Wolk PhD, D(ABMM)
Raquel Martinez, PhD, D(ABMM)
Review Date:  12/31/2024

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