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. 2000 Nov;38(11):4266-8.
doi: 10.1128/JCM.38.11.4266-4268.2000.

Quantitative gram stain interpretation criteria used by microbiology laboratories in Alberta, Canada

D Church  1 , E Melnyk, B Unger
Affiliations

Quantitative gram stain interpretation criteria used by microbiology laboratories in Alberta, Canada

D Church et al. J Clin Microbiol. 2000 Nov.

Abstract

Microbiology laboratories in Alberta, Canada, were surveyed to determine the quantitative interpretive criteria used to routinely read and report Gram stains. There was a wide variability in the quantitative reporting criteria cited for both cells and bacteria, with only 11 of 32 (34.4%) laboratories surveyed using the criteria recommended by the external proficiency-testing program. Lack of standardized criteria not only poses a problem in the grading of proficiency testing results but may also impact the quality of patient care.

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