A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z #

Gram Stain

Test Code
GS


Alias/See Also
Smear for bacteria, GS, Gram smear


Preferred Specimen
2-3mL of fluid or 1-2 grams of tissue


Transport Container
Specimens may be collected using various devices such as sterile swabs, scalpels, syringes or Pasteur pipettes. Do not submit syringe with needle attached. If submitting syringe, remove needle, expel air and recap syringe.


Specimen Stability
  • Air dried smears are stable for at least 10 days at room temperature.
  • Specimens on swabs in transport media are stable for 2 days at room temperature.
  • For Gram stain purposes, respiratory specimens are stable for up to 24 hours at room temperature and 48 hrs refrigerated. Stability for culture is less.
  • Body Fluids -  Stable for 48 hrs at room temperature
  •  Port-a-cult – Up to 72 hours room temperature


    • Reject Criteria (Eg, hemolysis? Lipemia? Thaw/Other?)
    •  Broken slides or smears too thick to read.
    • Smears fixed with Cytology fixative
    • Slides previously stained by cytology and cover slipped
    • Specimens in DNA probe transports or PVA transports
    • Dry swabs


    Reference Range
     The expected distribution of bacteria and cells is based on the body site and type of infection.


    Clinical Significance
    Clinical significance varies with source. 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.




    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.