"Wright Stain used in hematology, this stain is not optimal for blood parasites. It can be used if rapid results are needed, but should be followed up when possible with a confirmatory Giemsa stain, so that Schüffner’s dots can be demonstrated."
"To ensure that proper staining results have been achieved, a positive smear (malaria) should be included with each new batch of working Giemsa stain. Since good quality control smears are not available commercially, they may be prepared from a patient’s blood and stored for future use in the following manner:
Choose a patient blood specimen, anticoagulated with EDTA, that has enough parasites so that at least one is found in every 2 to 3 fields.
Make as many thin smears as possible, preferably within one hour after the blood was drawn from the patient.
Allow the smears to dry quickly, using a fan or blower at room temperature.
Fix the smears in absolute (100%) methanol; allow them to dry.
Place them, touching front to back, in a box without separating grooves.
Label the outside of the box with the species, date and “Giemsa control slides.”
Store at -70°C (or colder) if the purpose is to make quality control slides.
Just before use, remove the smear from the box and allow the condensation to evaporate; label the slide “+ malaria” and the present date. The smear is now ready for staining since it was previously fixed."