Implanted medical device culture (Calgary/South)

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Test Name:

Implanted medical device culture (Calgary/South)

Organism(s)/Disease(s):

Endocarditis - prosthetic valve
Infection - foreign body
Infection - hardware
Infection - implanted device
Infection - pacemaker
Infection - prosthetic joint

Body Source(s):

- Specify body source on requisition •
• Bone cement, joint revision
• Medical device implant
• Prosthetic joint
• Stent
Other - specify source on requisition
Prosthetic heart valve

Clinical Prerequisite(s):

Indicate specific body source and device type on the requisition or in the Clinical History field of the Connect Care order. This information is important to ensure appropriate culture testing

For catheter tips, refer to: Catheter tip culture (Calgary/South)
For intrauterine device (IUD), refer to: Implanted medical device culture, intrauterine device (Calgary/South)

Provision of relevant, clinical information is important to ensure a clinically relevant result
Always provide/record:
• clinical history - symptoms and signs; duration
• reason for removal of prosthetic implant/testing
• duration of time the prosthetic was in situ

Collection Device/Tube Type:

1L sterile plastic container with secure lid
60 mL sterile, plastic container

Comments:

If the device cannot fit into one of the available, sterile containers - with the lid securely closed - the device cannot be processes for culture
• Sterile O.R. bags are NOT acceptable for transport to DSC Microbiology

Collection Instructions:

Removal of orthopedic Hardware

Remove orthopedic hardware aseptically, in the operating room
Place the extracted hardware in the sterile, plastic container
- Avoid further contamination with any other surfaces or materials
If hardware is too large to fin in the container, disassemble into smaller parts before placing in the container
- Avoid contamination. Failure to do so, may result in specimen rejection

Removal of other implanted devices:

Aseptically remove the medical device
Place the extracted device in a sterile container
- Avoid further contamination with any other surfaces or materials

Handling and Storage:

*Store at Room Temperature
DO NOT refrigerate

Handling/Storage Comments:

Transport to the testing laboratory as soon as possible after collection

Rejection Criteria:

Swab of a medical device is not suitable for culture

Turnaround Times

See Microbiology Information»

Comments:

Medical devices are cultured aerobically and anaerobically

Orthopedic hardware, including prosthesis, plates, and screws are incubated for 14 days to rule out Cutibacterium acnes (formerly, Propionibacterium acnes)

Last Reviewed:

06 May 2023

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