Specimen Requirements

Label container with patient’s name (first and last), date and actual time of collection, and type of specimen. Maintain sterility and forward promptly. Specimen source is required on request form for processing.

Bronchoalveolar Lavage or Bronchial Washings

1.  Aseptically collect a minimum of 5 mL of bronchoalveolar lavage or bronchial washings in a screw-capped, sterile container.
2. Avoid contaminating bronchoscope with tap water.

Open Lung Biopsy or Transthoracic Needle Biopsy

1. Place specimen in a screw-capped, sterile container.

Sputum, Induced

1. Collect an early-morning specimen in a screw-capped, sterile container as follows:
2. Induce cough by inhalation of sterile, hypertonic saline; and collect 5 mL to 10 mL of expectorated material.