GRAM STAIN

Test Code

LAB250

CPT Codes
87205

Setup Schedule

Set Up:Daily Report Available:1 day

Clinical Significance

Non-suctioned sputum specimens showing >25 squamous epithelial cells per low power field (10X), regardless of the number of white blood cells, are considered grossly contaminated with saliva. In such cases, the culture result will not be reflective of the true disease process involved in the lower respiratory tract. Additional sputum specimens will be requested and should be submitted if there is evidence of heavy oropharyngeal contamination. The gram stain is a key piece of information in the management of patients with deep-seated infections. Any bacteria present in the gram stain of specimens from normally sterile body sites are highly significant. Wound gram stains showing mixed bacterial morphotypes and very few polymorphonuclear leukocytes imply either benign wound colonization and/or improper specimen collection. Wound gram stains with abundant polymorphonuclear leukocytes and the dominance of single bacterial morphotype imply active infection.

Performing Laboratory
GBMC Microbiology

The CPT Codes provided in this document are based on AMA guidelines and are for informational purposes only. CPT coding is the sole responsibility of the billing party. Please direct any questions regarding coding to the payor being billed. Any Profile/panel component may be ordered separately. Reflex tests are performed at an additional charge.