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Test Code EXUCUL Culture, Exudate (Wound)

Methodology

Conventional Culture
Includes Gram stain, isolation, and identification of aerobic pathogenic organisms. Susceptibility testing will be performed. Specimen is submitted by transport appropriate for the recovery of anaerobes; or if the specimen is actual tissue or bone, anaerobic pathogenic organisms will also be isolated and identified.

Performing Laboratory

St. Clair Hospital Laboratory

Specimen Requirements

Acceptable Specimens:

Abscesses, biopsies, exudates, lesions, pus, or other material properly obtained from a wound site

 

Submit only 1 of the following specimens:

 

Preferred:

Aspirate
1. Aspirate 0.5 mL from deepest portion of lesion or sinus with a sterile needle and syringe or catheter. If anaerobic organisms are suspected, also add an anaerobic transport swab. Curettings base of an open lesion is optimal.

2. Transfer aspirate into a screw-capped, sterile container or immediately cap syringe. Do not send needles.
3. Maintain sterility and forward promptly at ambient temperature only.
Note:  Specimen source is required on request form for processing.

 

Alternate:

Swab
1. Aseptically collect pus or exudate using an aerobic bacterial transport swab. If anaerobic organisms are suspected, also add an anaerobic transport swab. Curettings base of an open lesion is optimal.
2. Place swab(s) in a sterile culture transport tube.

3. Maintain sterility and forward promptly at ambient temperature only.
Note:  Specimen source is required on request form for processing.

Reference Values

No growth or no significant pathogens isolated

Day(s) Test Set Up

Monday through Sunday