- Test Name:
- Deep wound culture (Edmonton/Central/North)
- Body Source(s):
-
Burn, deep (2nd and 3rd degree)
Ulcer, deep (diabetic, decubiti)
Wound, bite (human or animal)
Wound, traumatic (gunshot, stab, puncture, etc)
Wound/incision - surgical
-
Clinical Prerequisite(s):
-
Provision of relevant, clinical information is important to ensure a clinically relevant result
Always provide:
• specimen source - deep wound, anatomical site, specimen type
• current antibiotic therapy and start date
• clinical history - symptoms; signs and duration
Note: If yeast culture is required, indicate clearly, on the requisition - Collection Device/Tube Type:
-
10 mL sterile tube
Anaerobic transport system (eg. Port-A-Cul or equivilant)
eSwab collection device
Sterile 60 mL plastic container (orange-top).
Swab in clear transport media
- Specimen Requirement(s):
-
Collect specimens for culture only from wounds that are clinically infected, non-healing, chronically draining or not responding to treatment
Preferred specimens: fluid/aspirate/pus, tissue/biopsy
· Avoid swab collection if aspirates or biopsy samples can be obtained
· Collect specimen prior to antimicrobial therapy for greatest diagnostic sensitivity
- Collection Instructions:
-
1.
Debride, if appropriate, and remove superficial debris by thorough irrigation and cleansing with sterile normal saline (non-bacteriostatic)
· Collect culture specimens only after the wound has been cleansed and debrided
2.
Tissue/biopsy:
Obtain tissue sample by biopsy or curettage from areas within and adjacent to the area of infection when possible
3.
Fluid/aspirate/pus:
Use a syringe and needle to aspirate purulent secretions from the deepest portion of the wound
4.
Swab:
If tissue or purulent secretions cannot be obtained as above, then a swab of the exudate from the deep portion of the wound can be submitted
· If wound is relatively dry, collect with a sterile swab (preferable Dacron) moistened with sterile saline
· Rotate the swab tip over the area of clean granulation tissue, using enough pressure to release exudate
· Repeat in other parts of the wound if needed
· Do not swab hard eschar or necrotic tissue
5.
Submit specimens in anaerobic transport media (preferred) or in a sterile container
- Handling and Storage:
-
Room temperature
- Handling/Storage Comments:
- Submit to Laboratory as soon as possible after collection
- Rejection Criteria:
- Mislabelled or unlabelled specimen/requisition
- Turnaround Times
- See Microbiology Information»
- Last Reviewed:
- 24 November 2021
