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Order Code LAB6008 Gram Stain

Important Note

Note:  If cultures are also to be performed, a separate swab or smear must be submitted for each order.

Additional Codes

Test Name in EPIC

EPIC Test Code           

Mnemonic

RV Gram Stain

LAB6008

GRAM

PRIOR TO 8/1/21:  GRAM

Useful For

  • Identifying microorganisms in normally sterile body fluids
  • Screening sputum specimens for acceptability for bacterial culture 
  • Guiding initial antimicrobial therapy

Specimen Requirements

Submit only 1 of the following specimens:

 

Smear

Smear on a clean, glass, microscopic slide with frosted end collected as follows:

  1. Use a sterile swab to collect specimen.
  2. Immediately after collection, spread a thin layer of cells on slide by rolling swab across non-frosted end of slide. (Frosted end of slide should face up.)
  3. Label frosted end of slide in pencil with patient’s name, date and time of collection, and specimen source.
  4. Allow slide to air dry and transport in a plastic slide container.
  5. Label slide container with patient’s name, date of birth or hospital medical record number, specimen source, date and time of collection, and collector’s initials.

 

Swab

  1. Use a sterile culture transport swab to collect specimen.
  2. Label swab with patient’s name, date of birth or hospital medical record number, specimen source, date and time of collection, and collector’s initials.
  3. Send specimen refrigerated.

Specimen Stability

Specimen Type Temperature Stability            
ESwab Ambient 48 hours
Culturette Refrigerated 24 hours

Reference Values

Organisms

  • 4+ = 50 organisms/field (100x)
  • 3+ = 10-50 organisms/field (100x)
  • 2+ = 2-10 organisms/field (100x)
  • 1+ = 2-10 organisms in scattered fields (100x)
  • Occasional = approximately 10 organisms/20 fields (100x)
  • Rare = 1-5 organisms/20 fields (100x)

Cells (WBCs, epithelium, and RBCs) (10x)/20 fields

  • 0
  • <10
  • 10-25
  • >25

Day(s) Test Set Up

  • Monday through Sunday
  • Gram stain is read Monday through Sunday from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. All other hours, only STAT Gram stain reads with verbal read back. Gram stain slide over-read during regular hours.

Performing Laboratory

Ridgeview Medical Center Laboratory

Methodology

Microscopy

Test Classification and CPT Coding

87205