| Direct ZN | Concentrated FM | Magnetic bead-FM |
---|---|---|---|
 | 1. Label slides | 1. Label slides | 1. Label slides |
 | 2. Transfer sputum using applicator and prepare smear | 2. Transfer sputum to centrifuge tube | 2. Attach adhesive wells |
 | 3. Air dry | 3. Add decontamination agent and mix | 3. Add bleach solution to sputum |
 | 4. Heat fix | 4. Incubate | 4. Incubate |
 | 5. Transfer slides to staining rack and add stain | 5. Add buffer to 50 ml mark | 5. Add capture buffer, Magnetic bead and decon agent to tubes |
 | 6. Rinse with water and drain | 6. Load centrifuge | 6. Add thinned sputum to capture tube |
 | 7. Add decoloriser | 7. Centrifuge | 7. Incubate |
 | 8. Rinse with water and drain | 8. Unload, pour off supernatant and suspend pellet | 8. Add suspension to wells, wash and remove water from wells |
 | 9. Add counterstain | 9. Make smears | 9. Remove wells |
 | 10. Drain and rinse with water | 10. Air dry | 10. Air dry |
 | 11. Blot back of slides with tissue | 11. Heat fix | 11. Heat fix |
 | 12. Air dry | 12. Transfer slides to staining rack and add stain | 12. Transfer slides to staining rack and add stain |
 | 13. Examine slides under microscope | 13. Rinse with water and drain | 13. Rinse with water and drain |
 |  | 14. Add decoloriser | 14. Add decoloriser |
 |  | 15. Rinse with water and drain | 15. Rinse with water and drain |
 |  | 16. Add counterstain | 16. Add counterstain |
 |  | 17. Drain and rinse with water | 17. Drain and rinse with water |
 |  | 18. Blot back of slides with tissue | 18. Blot back of slides with tissue |
 |  | 19. Air dry | 19. Air dry |
 |  | 20. Examine slides under microscope | 20. Examine slides under microscope |
Hands on time (mins)* | 34.0 | 48.5 | 48.7 |
Total time (mins)* | 74.6 | 146.6 | 139.5 |