CPT/HCPCS
87205
Order Code
GS
Turnaround Time
up to 14 days
Specimen Requirements
Specimen Source
Any primary source
Transport Container
(Specimen Container)
(Specimen Container)
Sterile Transport Container
Preferred Specimens
Primary specimen in sterile, leak proof container or heat fixed or methanol fixed smear in a slide folder.
Collection Instructions
(Transport Temperature)
(Transport Temperature)
Transport at Room Temperature
Specimen Stability
| Temperature | Period |
|---|---|
| Room temperature | 48 hours |
| Refrigerated | 48 hours |
| Frozen | Unacceptable |
Reject Criteria
Smears with cytology fixative, Broken slides
Special Instructions
Tissues or brushes in transport medium or in a small amount of sterile saline are acceptable. Stool will only be examined for campylobacter. If culture is requested second swab must be submitted.
Test Details
Methodology
Manual staining
Clinical Significance
The gram stain is a rapid, preliminary test to assess the quality of specimens, identify bacterial infections, and to guide the initial antibacterial therapy.
