Body Fluid for Gram Stain Test Cost & Procedure

A direct Gram stain, the isolation and identification of bacteria, and, if necessary, susceptibility testing are all included in the test. If medically necessary AND another culture process has not produced the same organism, other isolated species (such as fungi or mycobacteria) may be referred for identification and/or susceptibility testing (s).

Time completed:

24 hours a day

Arrangement time:

Gram staining takes an hour for CSF once the laboratory receives the specimen. Reports on the preliminary culture are available after 24 hours. After 72 hours, culture growth information won't be released. When many isolates are discovered, it may take 3–4 days to finish the culture reports after receiving the specimen.

Special instructions: It IS Essential to specify on the order or requisition the precise anatomic place of the bodily fluid. Unless specifically stated on the prescription or requisition that "no anaerobic culture needed," all sterile bodily fluids (apart from CSF) are cultured both aerobically and anaerobically.

Red top tube, 10 mL; sealed, sterile container; BacT/ALERT SA (aerobic) and BacT/ALERT SN (anaerobic)

Collection: An aspirate, NOT a swab, should be used as the specimen of choice. Samples must be taken from a location that has been made using aseptic procedure. To get rid of organisms from the regular flora on the surface, the surrounding and adjacent areas must be meticulously cleaned. In a sealed, sterile container, the material acquired by needle aspiration through an unbroken surface that has been cleansed with antiseptic is best. Swabs should only be used as a last resort because of the tiny volume of specimen they can yield. Use the Copan Swab® II collection tool if you must use a swab.

Needs for specimens:

fluid that was aspirated aseptically

Rejection criteria: Unsuitable specimen container, insufficient volume of specimen, severely contaminated specimen, and chilled specimen.

Minimum volume: 0.5 mL per Bact/Alert bottle, 1 mL in a sealed, sterile container.

Handling instructions:

The specimen needs to be moved as quickly as feasible. When a trip is delayed, go when it's still warm. NOT to be chilled.

Range of reference: No expansion

Test limitations:

There are certain restrictions on using blood culture bottles for specimen submission, including the inability to quantitate and the inability to employ Gram stain without submitting a second sample. However, using the blood culture bottles makes the procedure's sensitivity higher.

Methodology: Bact/Alert blood culture media were automated (under continuous observation) and standard culture media were injected.