RESPIRATORY GRAM STAIN PLUS CULTURE

Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL), Bronchial aspirate, Protected bronchial brush, Endotracheal tube aspirate (ETTA), Gastric aspirate, Sputum, Tracheostomy secretions, Pleural fluid, Transthoracic lung biopsy, Lung aspirate, Transtracheal aspirate

• Specimen should reach the Microbiology Laboratory within 2 hours of collection.
• If delay in transportation cannot be avoided, keep specimens at 2 to 8°C. 

Gram stain and Culture

Gram stain:
“No organisms seen” or descriptive report of observations.

Culture:
Negative:
“No bacterial growth”
“No growth of pathogens”
“Mixed flora”

Positive:
Identification of probable pathogen(s)

Negative: 2 – 3 days

Positive: 3 – 5 days*
*Depending on the number and type of organism(s) isolated

Daily

• Request for anaerobic culture for non-sterile sites specimens are not acceptable.
• Endotracheal tube tips are not acceptable.

Refer to General Specimen / Collection Guide