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Gram Stain

CPT/HCPCS 87205
Order Code GS
Turnaround Time up to 14 days
Specimen Requirements
Specimen Source
Any primary source
Transport 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 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.