BRONCHIAL BRUSH CULTURE

Test Code

LAB1018

Quest Code

19514

CPT Codes
87070, 87205

Includes

If culture is positive, identification will be performed at an additional charge (CPT code(s): 87077 or 87140 or 87143 or 87147 or 87149). Antibiotic susceptibilities are only performed when appropriate (CPT code(s): 87181 or 87184 or 87185 or 87186).

Preferred Specimen

20-50 mL of alveolar lavage fluid or bronchial brush submitted in 1 mL sterile saline.

Minimum Volume

20 mL

Transport Container

Sterile leak-proof container

Transport Temperature

Refrigerated (cold packs)

Specimen Stability

Room temperature: 2-4 hours
Refrigerated: 24-48 hours
Frozen: Unacceptable

Reject Criteria (Eg, hemolysis? Lipemia? Thaw/Other?)

All the sample has leaked out of container • Received frozen • Dried swabs • Specimens >24 hours old

Methodology
Aerobic Culture, using a 0.01 mL calibrated loop
Includes gram stain performed for the examination of inflammatory cells, and micro-organisms.

Setup Schedule

Daily

Report Available

3 days

Clinical Significance

Fever, pulmonary infiltrations, and purulent sputum are frequent occurrences in patients requiring mechanical ventilation and other critical ill patients. The collection and culture of bronchial-alveolar lavage specimens may help in establishing a specific diagnosis of pneumonia in these patients where sputum cultures cannot be obtained or are not productive. A quantitative culture technique is used to aid in distinguishing between airway colonization and significant infection.

Performing Laboratory

Quest Diagnostics-Lenexa

10101 Renner Blvd

Lenexa, KS 66219-9752

Last Updated: August 13, 2021

The CPT Codes provided in this document are based on AMA guidelines and are for informational purposes only. CPT coding is the sole responsibility of the billing party. Please direct any questions regarding coding to the payor being billed. Any Profile/panel component may be ordered separately. Reflex tests are performed at an additional charge.