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Test Code MGS Gram Smear

Infectious

Specimen Requirements

Submit only one of the following

 

Specimen Type: Tissues, biopsies
Container/Tube: Sterile screw-capped container
Volume: As much as possible
Minimum Volume: 1.0g

 

Specimen Type: Body fluids, aspirates
Container/Tube: Sterile screw-capped container
Volume: 5.0mL
Minimum Volume: 1.0mL

 

Specimen Type: Swab (varied sources)
Container/Tube: eSwab, M40 transystem Amies agar transport media (Copan)(for non-NUH patients)
Volume: Entire swab
Collection Instructions: Do not share with other tests. Collect another swab specimen for culture if required.

 

Please refer to Test Catalogue -> Test Collection Information -> eSwab Training Slides

 

Specimen Type: Corneal scrape
Container/Tube: Clean glass slide (free from oil, dust) & slide holder
Volume: 1 slide
Collection Instructions:
1. Collect scrape and smear in a small circle on slide (1 cm diameter).
2. Label which side the specimen is on.
3. Place slide in slide holder, label, and send to lab
4. Do not smear across the entire slide. This will reduce the chance of picking up the organism.
5. Do not stick 2 slides with scotch tape together (with sample in between). This will create unnecessary safety hazard for staff handling slides.

Sample Stability

Preferred temperatures for storage prior to and during shipping to NUH 

 

Specimen Type:  All types
Ambient:  Submit to lab as soon as possible
Refrigerate:  Do not refrigerate sample
Frozen:  Do not freeze sample

 

Reference Interval

Negative

Days and Times Performed

Monday through Sunday, TAT 1 day

Methodology

Microscopy

Service Code

23207

Update

Last updated 11/10/2021

Unacceptable Condition

Gram smears will not be done for urine, blood, catheter tips, stool.

Special Instruction

Gram smear is done for CSF bacterial culture. There is no need to order a separate smear.

Testing Laboratory

National University Hospital
Clinical Microbiology, 67724343

Useful For

Presumptive diagnosis of bacterial infection