Gram Smear Preparation In a Total Automated Microbiology Laboratory

Introduction
The gram stain remains one of the oldest, trusted, simplest and most reliable testing techniques in the microbiology laboratory. The gram stain is the first test performed on specimens and often leads to clinical decision making and antibiotic treatment. There are, however, inherent sources of error in the gram stain test such as inconsistency in sample inoculum, slide preparation, staining technique and interpretation by the Medical Laboratory Technologist. The objective of this study is to utilize total laboratory automation such as WASP™ for sample inoculum and slide preparation and automated gram staining to provide consistent reliable gram stained slides.