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Test Code WC Culture, Wound

Methodology

Conventional Culture Technique

Includes Gram stain.

Note:  1. If anaerobic infection is suspected, order #ANCOMBO “Culture, Aerobic and Anaerobic.”

2. If 1 or more pathogens are isolated, antibiotic sensitivities (minimum inhibitory concentration) will be performed at an additional charge for each pathogen.

Performing Laboratory

Aspen Valley Hospital

Specimen Requirements

Specimen must arrive within 48 hours of collection.

 

1. Decontaminate area around lesion to remove superficial skin flora.

2. Aseptically obtain specimen from advancing margin of lesion. Firmly sample deep areas (avoiding surrounding skin) using BBLTM CultureSwabTM Plus supplied from Nursing Unit Pyxis or Laboratory for Outreach Offices. (Specimen submitted in non-sterile container or specimen delayed >4 hours [unless collected on BBLTM CultureSwabTM Plus] is not acceptable.)

3. Collect material from where the suspected organism will most likely be found.

4. Return swab to sterile culture transport tube to ensure specimen preservation.

5. Label specimen with patient’s name (first and last), date and actual time of collection, and type of specimen.

6. Maintain sterility and forward promptly at ambient temperature only.

Note:  1. If fastidious bacteria such as Neisseria gonorrhoeae or Streptococcus pneumoniae is suspected, specimen should arrive within ≤24 hours of collection.

2. Collect before start of antibiotic therapy whenever possible.

3. Specimen source is required on request form for processing.

Reference Values

No pathogens isolated

Day(s) Test Set Up

Monday through Sunday

Test Classification and CPT Coding

87071 - culture
87205 - Gram stain

87186 - antimicrobial susceptibility (if appropriate)