Provision of relevant clinical information is important to ensure a clinically relevant result

·    State specimen source – Deep wound, anatomical site, specimen type

·    State current antibiotic therapy and start date

·    Provide clinical history – include symptoms, signs and duration

Collect specimens for cultures only from wounds that are clinically infected, are chronic, non-healing, chronically draining or not responding to treatment
Preferred specimens:  fluid/aspirates or biopsy samples

·    Avoid swab collection if aspirates or biopsy samples can be obtained 

·    Collect specimen prior to antimicrobial therapy for greatest diagnostic sensitivity

1.   

Debride, if appropriate, and remove superficial debris by thorough irrication and cleansing with sterile, normal saline (non-bacteriostatic)  Collect culture specimens only after the wound has been cleansed and debrided

2.   

Tissue/biopsy:  Obtain a 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.   

Swabs:  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 a sterile container or swab collection device listed above