Sputum, Bronchial Lavage (BAL), Endotracheal Aspirate, Bronchial Wash
Respiratory Specimen
RCHSD Microbiology
upon receipt
2 days
N/A
Sputum, Tracheal Aspirate, Bronchial Wash, Bronchial Lavage
Sterile Container
Submit specimen in a sterile screw-cap container or Luken's Trap and deliver to laboratory as soon as possible.
Refrigerate-OK/Ambient-OK
Deliver to lab within 30 minutes of collection, or refrigerate up to 2 hours.
Contamination with oropharyngeal secretions or significant delay in transport
Refer to microbiology processing manual
Culture and Gram Stain
08-17-17