TEST DIRECTORY... | MIDx Labs

GRAM STAIN EVALUATION (GS)

Rapid microscopic staining technique that differentiates bacteria as gram-positive or gram-negative and characterizes cellular morphology, providing preliminary organism information to guide empiric treatment ahead of definitive culture results.

LIS PANEL CODE: (MID) Gram Stain Evaluation

INDIVIDUAL LIS TEST CODES INCLUDED WITHIN PANEL: Gram Reaction, Bacterial Morphology

CPT CODE: 87205

ALIASES: GS, Gram Stain, Direct Gram Stain, Direct Smear

METHODOLOGIES: Gram Stain (Microscopic, Direct Smear)

Laboratory Developed Test (LDT): Performance characteristics determined by Michigan Innovative Diagnostics. This test has not been cleared or approved by the FDA.

SPECIMEN:

- Type: Varies by source (e.g., wound, abscess, body fluid, tissue)

- Container: Sterile swab, container, or slide appropriate to specimen source

- Minimum Volume Required: Sufficient quantity to prepare a direct smear.

- Storage/Handling: Specimen should be transported to the laboratory promptly to prevent drying prior to smear preparation.

- Stability:

Room Temperature (20-25 °C): 2 hours - 1 day

Refrigerated (2-8 °C): 1 day

Frozen (-20 °C or colder): Not Accepted

- Turnaround Time: 24 hours from time of receipt.

Special Instructions: Gram Stain Evaluation is typically ordered alongside, or as a component of, a source-specific culture (e.g., wound culture, body fluid culture) and does not independently trigger reflex to culture. Results are reported separately from any concurrently ordered culture and should be interpreted in conjunction with culture findings once available.

REJECTION REASONS: QNS, Specimen Dried Prior to Processing, Contamination, Stability Violation, Unlabeled/Mislabeled Specimen, Incorrect Container

REPORTABLE RESULTS:

Gram-Reaction: Gram-Positive / Gram-Negative / No Organisms Seen

Bacterial Morphology (MORPH): Cocci / Bacilli / Coccobacilli & Singles / Doubles (Diplococci/Diplobacilli) / Chains / Clusters

[Example] Gram-Positive Bacilli in Chains