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Test Code Billings Clinic: 6605 Smear, Gram Stain

Performing Laboratory

Billings Clinic Laboratory: Microbiology

Useful For

Used to determine the presence or absence of bacteria, yeast, white blood cells, and epithelial cells.

Specimen Requirements

  1. Collect as for specific bacterial culture.
  2. Place specimen in a screw-capped, sterile container or send a swab transport system or slide prepared with material.
  3. Label container/tube/slide with patient’s name (first and last), date and actual time of collection, and type of specimen
  4. Maintain sterility and forward promptly.
  5. Specimen source is required on request form for processing.

Reference Values

  • Depends on site/source of specimen
  • Automatic call-back:  any positive on spinal fluid

Gram stain is not as sensitive or specific as culture. If organism identification and susceptibilities are desired, a culture must be requested. False-negative results occur with Gram stains due to low number of organisms present in the specimen.

Day(s) Test Set Up

Daily

Test Classification and CPT Coding

87205

Profile/Testing Information

Gram stains are automatically included in the following routine cultures: body fluid, spinal fluid, sputum, and wound or abscess. If a culture is also desired, order specific culture and be sure to submit enough material for both Gram stain and culture procedures.