title: Quantitative gram stain interpretation criteria used by microbiology laboratories in Alberta, Canada.
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.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory Proficiency-Testing Program, College of Physicians & Surgeons of Alberta. deirdre.church@cls.ab.ca
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Church
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Melnyk
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Unger
mesh_terms: D000416:Alberta; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000175:diagnosis; D001431:Bacteriological Techniques / Q000379:methods; D005840:Gentian Violet / Q000592:standards*; D006801:Humans; D007753:Laboratories / Q000592:standards*; D008829:Microbiology; D010619:Phenazines / Q000592:standards*
chemical_list: C035863:Gram's stain; D010619:Phenazines; D005840:Gentian Violet