Label a new, clean,  unscratched slide at one end with the
relevant patient number

Transfer an appropriate  portion of the specimen to the slide by using an applicator stick (recommended) or bacteriological loop. Use blood-specked, opaque, greyish or yellowish cheesy mucus for  smear preparation when it is present

Smear the specimen on the  slide over an area approximately 1.5 by 1.5cm. Make it thin enough to be able to read through it. Do not make more than one smear per slide

Allow smears to air dry for  15 minutes. Do not use heat for drying

• Pass slides through a flame three or four times with the smear  uppermost. Do not overheat and allow to cool before staining
• Allow the slides to fix on an electric slide warmer (65EC - 75EC) for  at least 2 hours

Discard the applicator stick in disinfectant or a biohazard receptacle, and use a new one for each specimen. Remove particles of adherent sputum from loops by moving it up and down through a flask containing sand and 70% alcohol.

Flame the bacteriological loop thoroughly prior to re-use. The flame  should be colourless or blue, because an orange or red flame is usually not hot enough