Days Set Up
Daily
Analytic Time

1 - 4 hours

MiChart Code
Gram Stain ONLY (DO NOT ORDER IF ORDERING CULTURE)
Soft Order Code
GSO

Test Updated:

Synonyms

Bacterial Smear
Bacterial Vaginosis
BV
Direct Smear, Bacteria
Direct Smear, Gram Stain
GSO
Smear, Gram Stain
GRAM STAIN ONLY

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Find a Requisition

All specimens should be accompanied by a requisition.

Submitting Specimens

Learn about how to properly label and where to ship specimens.

Order Kits and Supplies

MLabs provides all the supplies necessary for the collection of specimens.

Test FAQ

Visit our provider FAQ and learn about common questions to ordering tests.

Test Overview

Test Methodology

Microscopic exam

Test Usage

To determine presence or absence of bacteria, yeast, white blood cells and/or clue cells.

Reference Range

Depends on site of specimen

* Reference ranges may change over time. Please refer to the original patient report when evaluating results.

Specimen Requirements

Collection Onsite

Appropriate specimen for smear is the same as for culture. Patient preparation is the same as for routine culture of specific site. Collection procedure same as for aerobic bacterial culture of the specific site. Specimen must be collected to avoid contamination with skin, adjacent areas, and non-sterile surfaces. Send in aerobic transport. Rejection criteria: swab is desiccated.

Collection Offsite

Collect specimen according to instructions for routine culture of specific site. Send in aerobic transport; do not send in anaerobic transport. Refrigerate and send within 24 hours. Indicate specimen source and collection date/time.

100ml Plastic Specimen Container
Normal Volume
0.5 ml or one swab. Separate swab should be sent for culture.
Minimum Volume
0.5 ml or one swab

Billing Information

CPT Code
87205
Pro Fee Code
 
LOINC
664-3

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Our High Standard

Quality that sets us apart

As the reference laboratory division of Michigan Medicine's Department of Pathology, MLabs shares the institution's commitment to applying established quality principles to clinical laboratory testing. Like other large organizations in complex, consequential fields, we rely on an established approach to monitor quality throughout the testing process.

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