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Respiratory Smear/Gram Stain
Test CodeRSSM
CPT Codes
87205
Preferred Specimen
Sputum, Tracheal secretions, Endotracheal secretions, Bronchial washing, Bronchial alveolar lavage, Bronchial brush, Lung biopsy.
Minimum Volume
5 mL
Instructions
Only 1 specimen per day of collection will be accepted. Have patient rinse mouth and gargle with seterile water or saline prior to sputum collection. Collect specimen resulting from deep cough in a sterile container. If Legionella testing will be included in the tests requested do not use saline as it is inhibitory to Legionella organisms.
Transport Container
Sterile Container
Transport Temperature
RT 2 hrs then 2-8 C
Specimen Stability
2-8 C up to 24 hrs.
Reject Criteria (Eg, hemolysis? Lipemia? Thaw/Other?)
Improperly labelled; Improper storage/transport
Methodology
Microscopic examination; gram stain
Setup Schedule
Daily upon receipt
Report Available
Upon Completion of Analysis
Reference Range
See Report
Clinical Significance
The gram stain is a critical test for the rapid, presumptive diagnosis of infectious agents and also serves to assess the quality of clinical specimens.