I am interested in improving our BAL cell counts. How does your lab perform these? For certain lung ILD, the cell counts can be helpful, and the pulmonologists would like some better information rather than "suboptimal for evaluation". I think our methods need some tweaking (the lab is not thrilled with that idea). Do you use any preservatives? Limit time interval to processing? Filter to remove mucus? Currently, the lab puts the BAL in a purple top and makes a cytospin. That's pretty much it. I am new to this department, but seems like there is room for improvement. Any references to point me to? Thanks.