Sterile container or Apply original sample to surface of Microscopic slide using appropriate application method (determined by consistency of specimen type)

The Gram stain is one of the simplest, least expensive, and most useful of the rapid methods used to identify preliminary differentiation of microbiological organisms to provide preliminary information concerning the type of organisms present directly from clinical specimens or from growth on culture plates.

Positive Gram stain results usually include a description of what was seen on the slide. This typically includes: Whether the bacteria are Gram-positive (purple) or Gram-negative (red) Shape — round (cocci) or rods (bacilli) Size, relative quantity, and/or arrangement of the bacteria Whether there are bacteria present within other cells (intracellular) Presence white blood cells Fungi (in the form of yeasts or molds) may be seen on a Gram stain and are reported.