Gram Stain

Synonyms

• GRAM STAIN
• GS
• LAB250

Cerner Name

Gram Stain

Clinical Info

The Gram stain is a rapid, preliminary test to assess the quality of specimens, identify bacterial infections, and to guide initial antibacterial therapy.
NOTES:
• Specimen source is required on request form for processing.
• Gram Stain is automatically included when a culture is ordered for the following sources: body fluid, CSF, tissue, bronchial alveolar lavage, sputum and surgical swabs received in Eswabs.
• Gram stain is not reliable for diagnosis of cervical, rectal, pharyngeal, or asymptomatic urethral gonococcal infection. In these cases, culture or molecular detection should be ordered.

Specimen Sources

Ankle, Left Ankle, Right Arm, Left Arm, Right Axilla, Left Axilla, Right Back, Lower Back, Upper Brain Breast, Left Breast, Right Buttock, Left Buttock, Right Cheek, Left Cheek, Right Chest Chin Ear, Left Ear, Right Elbow, Left Elbow, Right Eye, Left Eye, Right Finger, Left Finger, Right Foot, Left Foot, Right Forehead Groin Hand, Left Hand, Right Heart Hip, Left Hip, Right Hip, Right Jaw, Left Jaw, Right Knee, Left Knee, Right Labia Leg, Left Leg, Right Lip, Lower Lip, Upper Lung, Left Lower Lobe Lung, Left Upper Lobe Lung, Right Lower Lobe Lung, Right Middle Lobe Lung, Right Upper Lobe Lymph Node Mitral Valve Navel Neck Nose Penis Placenta Rectum Scalp Scrotum Shoulder, Left Shoulder, Right Testicle Toe, Left Toe, Right Wrist, Left Wrist, Right Show more...

Specimen Types

Abscess Aspirate Foreign Body Respiratory Skin/Wound

Specimen Volume

Body fluids, CSF, lower respiratory tract specimens, fresh (unfixed) tissue, wound, exudates, aspirates, lesion material or ocular specimens collected in a sterile, leak-proof container, Amies liquid transport media, or Eswab.

Container

For Body Fluids, CSF, Lower Respiratory Specimens, and Tissue: Sterile, leak-proof container. For Wounds, Exudates, Aspirates, Lesion Material, and Ocular Specimens: Sterile, leak-proof container, Amies liquid transport media, Eswab, Label slide with the patient’s name (first and last) and date of birth. Place slide in a slide holder for transport.

Collection Instructions

Aseptically collect specimen, tissue (unfixed) and place in a sterile container.

Transport Instructions

Maintain specimen at room temperature.

Specimen Stability

CSF
Room temperature: 48 hours
Refrigerated: Unacceptable.
Frozen: Unacceptable
All other specimen types
Room temperature: 48 hours
Refrigerated: 48 hours.
Frozen: Unacceptable

Methodology

Microscopic examination

Days Performed

Monday through Sunday

Performing Laboratories

Northwell Health Laboratories

CPT

87205

PDM

6201312

Results

Result Interpretation

Forms