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HelpTest Code GRAM Gram Stain
Specimen Type
Multiple types; Specimens should not be ordered on stool or throat swabs. Vaginal Gram Stains for Nugent Scoring only.
Preferred Collection Container
E-SWABCollection Volume
2 mL (minimum) or one swab. If possible, separate swab should be sent for culture.
Minimum Collection Volume
1 swab
Collection Instructions
Collection procedure same as for bacterial culture of the specific site. Specimen must be collected to avoid contamination with skin, adjacent structures, and nonsterile surfaces. Surgery specimens should be transported by pneumatic tube immediately to the North Campus Laboratory.
Rejection Criteria
Specimen not received in appropriate sterile container; Swabs transported in a gel medium; Container open or spilled; Dry swab; Unlabeled specimen; Incomplete requisition.
Specimen Storage and Stability
Generally swabs should be at Room Temperature and other specimen types should be Refrigerated. (Call Microbiology if questions.)
Turn Around Time
Routine – 8 hours; Sterile Body Fluids – < 3 hours or ASAP when AFB or other tests requiring special handling ordered
Lab Department
Microbiology
Alias
Gram Stain; Bacterial Smear; Direct Smear, Bacteria; Routine Stain, Bacteria; Smear, Gram Stain;
EPIC Code
LAB250
Acceptable Collection Container
ESwab or sterile container
Additional Information
All Gram stains are scanned for the presence or absence of white blood cells (indicative of infection) and squamous epithelial cells (indicative of mucosal contamination)USE: To determine the presence or absence of bacteria, yeast, fungal elements, neutrophils, and epithelial cells, establish the presence of potentially pathogenic organisms. Specimens should not be collected on stool, vaginal or throat swabs. Requisition must state specific site of specimen, age of patient , current antibiotic therapy and clinical diagnosis. Specimens must be properly labelled with the patient’s name, hospital identification number, time and date of collection, and initials of person collecting specimen.
Day(s) and Time(s) Performed
Monday through Sunday, 24 hours