Specimen:

Fluids and Exudates

Collection Medium:

Testing
Schedule:

0700-2200, 7 days a week, including holidays.

Analytic Time:

2 hours (upon receipt in laboratory)

Comments:

Test is automatically included with selected culture requests, but may
be requested as a single test without ordering a culture.  Will not be
done on blood cultures and requires laboratory approval if requested
on urine.

Methodology:

Microscopic slide examination

Sample
Processing:

Label transport tube with two patient identifiers, date and time of 
collection.
Specimen should be collected and packaged as close to shipping time as 
possible.
Indicate specimen/fluid type on requisition.
Submit in sterile transport container.
Maintain sterility and forward promptly to lab.

Sample
Storage:

Refrigerate up to 24 hours.

Transport
Instructions:

Coolant packs up to 8 hours.
Place requisition into outside pocket of bag.
Place specimen into zip-lock type bag, seal bag.

Instructions:

Gram stain will be performed on specimen or slide submitted to lab.

CPT Code:

87205