Specimen Type
Bronchial Lavage Fluid (BALF)
Performing Lab
Karius
Epic ID
Other Reference Test
Lab Test Days
Monday-Saturday
Standard TAT
2 Days
Collection Information
Specimen Required
1 mL Bronchial Lavage Fluid (BALF)
Container Type
Sterile Container
Collection Instructions
Infectious Disease approval is required. Deliver to lab immediately after collection.
Processing Information - Lab Use Only
Transport Temperature
Room Temp-OK/Frozen-OK
Specimen Stability
Room Temp: 7 Days (12 hours for Sterile Conical tube); Refrigerated: Need to clarify; Frozen: >7 Days (Unacceptable for Strek CP tube)
Rejection Criteria
Specimen volume transferred into Strek CP tube is significantly greater or smaller than 1 mL; Strek CP tube received frozen; Specimen received more than 7 days after collection or thaw date; Specimen collection in an expired tube; Specimen with fewer than 2 patient identifiers on the tube; Specimen type other than BAL fluid (BALF)
Test Volume Required
1 mL Bronchial Lavage (BALF)
Minimum Test Volume
1 mL Bronchial Lavage (BALF)
Processing Instructions
Infectious Disease approval is required. Within 12 hours of collection, transfer 1 mL of BALF into the Streck CP tube using the disposable pipette, taking care to avoid spilling storage reagent in Streck CP tube. Screw the cap tightly. Gently invert the tube 8-10 times. Label the tube with the patient's first and last name, a unique patient identifier, and date/time of collection. DO NOT freeze Streck CP tube. Follow packaging and shipping instruction for the Streck CP tube room temp in the Karius Focus BAL Sample Collection Kit. Alternative Method (if Karius Focus BAL Sample Collection Kit/Streck CP tube is unavailable): Freeze 1 mL BALF in a sterile conical tube and ship frozen. Create a Karius requisition. Submit completed Karius requisition and submit with specimen room temp (Streck CP tube) or frozen (Sterile Conical tube). Ok to ship Friday for Saturday delivery.
Comments
Infectious Disease approval is required.
Revised
9/17/25
Initials
SA