Procedure of Smear preparation

Procedure of Smear preparation The best tool for smearing sputum is a short, thin stick made of bamboo, Whit ragged end (obtained by breaking a +/-15 cm long stick in tow). The two parts are easily used to pick up a bit of sputum , also from thick specimens, or to apply just the right quantity on the slide (removing and discarding excess using one half stick), and to made a fine smear using the ragged end as a brush (holding it almost vertical in the slide ) . Coconut sticks are less good and wood sticks are less good at all since they yield a pointed , not good at all since they yield a pointed , not a ragged end not ragged end, Wire-loops can be used but should be thicker than usual ((1-2 mm wire) to handle of the slide, and they need flaming in between two samples .Take the slide, holding it at the sides or over the numbering, and put it a on the newspaper protection Verify if the number corresponds with that on the sputum container, open the container carefully , and using bamboo stick or other tool pick up a little bit from a good part of the specimen (not bigger than then the head of match) Close the container then apply the sputum particle in the middle of the slide, and smear it out as cleanly as possibly over an area of 3 cm 2 cm. using slow circular and spiral movements. if too much sputum was taken remove some using the other part of the stick. The thickness is correct if the newspaper print under it can only just be read . Replace the slide on its container of slide to dry. Drying should complete and may take at least half an hour , if humidity is very high , drying can be assisted by heating the slide over the spirit lamp just a little bit (passing once over it) and repeating this may be one or two times. Excess heat will spoil the AFB when it is still wet.