Gram Stain
Culture and sensitivity when appropriate
Turnaround time is defined as the usual number of days from the date of pickup of a specimen for testing to when the result is released to the ordering provider. In some cases, additional time should be allowed for additional confirmatory or additional reflex tests. Testing schedules may vary.
Early morning expectorate sputum from deep cough. Refrigerate the specimen as soon as possible after collection.
Sputum testing is an important diagnostic tool used to identify the causes of lower respiratory tract infections and other pulmonary diseases. These tests also help assess the effectiveness of clinical treatment. Among them, sputum culture is the most commonly performed, especially in patients with pneumonia. It allows for the identification of bacteria or fungi responsible for infections in the airways or lungs. Please note, sputum smear microscopy is typically the first step in laboratory analysis. This method is rapid, cost-effective, and particularly useful in settings with limited resources. The Gram stain is the initial staining technique employed to aid in the preliminary identification of bacterial pathogens and quality of sample. It also helps determine whether the sample contains an adequate number of organisms for a reliable diagnosis.
The Gram staining process classifies bacteria into gram-positive or gram-negative groups, based on differences in the physical and chemical properties of their cell walls. This classification is clinically significant, as it guides more targeted antibiotic therapy by narrowing down the likely group of pathogens.
References
Shen F, Sergi C. Sputum Analysis. [Updated 2023 Feb 20]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2025 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK563195/
Statement on Medical Necessity
All ordered tests should be medically necessary for the diagnosis or detection of disease, illness, impairment, symptom, syndrome, or disorder and the results should be used in the medical management and treatment decisions for the patient. Solaris requires ICD-10 codes with each order for lab testing and both the tests ordered and the diagnosis should be documented in the provider’s medical record for the patient. The United States Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General, takes the position that a provider who orders medically unnecessary tests may be subject to civil penalties.
Panels and Profiles
Solaris offers Providers the convenience of ordering test combinations in a group at times with the flexibility to choose appropriate test(s) for individual patients. Providers should only order those tests that he or she believes are medically necessary for each patient, and a lesser inclusive profile or individual tests should be ordered if not all tests in the test combination/profile are medically necessary. All tests offered in a test combination/profile may be ordered separately as individual tests. Solaris encourages clients to contact their Solaris representative if the testing configurations shown do not meet individual needs for any reason, or if some other combination of procedures is needed.
CPT Codes
CPT Codes listed are in accordance with Current Procedural Terminology, a publication of the American Medical Association. CPT codes are the responsibility of the billing party and are listed here for informational purposes. Correct coding may vary from one carrier to another. Solaris may bill specific carriers using codes other than what is shown.
For questions or inquiries related to testing please reach out to
customerservice@solarisdx.com or contact us by phone at (844) 550-0308.
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