SPECIMEN COLLECTION

Acceptable Specimens for Bacteriologic Analysis of Wounds

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Superficial Wounds: order "wound culture"

Appropriate samples:

• Aspiration of pus, or local irrigation fluid (using non-bacteriostatic saline), swab of purulence originating beneath the dermis

• If swabs must be used, collect two, one for culture and one for Gram staining.

Inappropriate samples:

• Swabs of surface material or specimens contaminated with surface material, irrigation fluid with saline containing preservative

Deep Wounds: order "abscess culture"

Appropriate samples:

1. Tissue obtained by biopsy following cleansing of superficial debris using aseptic approach (3-4 mm punch biopsy specimen is optimal when quantitative cultures are ordered).

2. Superficial necrotic tissues removed by curettage

3. Deep tissues obtained by non-invasive method such as dermabrasion

4. Deep aspirate of surface ulcer, sinus tract obtained by needle and syringe.

Inappropriate samples:

• Specimens contaminated with surface material

Anaerobic culture:  order "anaerobic culture"

Collection:

1. Aspirate/abscess:

   1. Clean site by wiping with sterile saline or 70% alcohol.

   2. Aspirate the area containing fluid, pus, or exudates by needle and syringe.   Irrigation with a small amount of sterile non-bacteriostatic saline may be necessary.

   3. Aspirate saline into syringe and expel into a sterile screw cap tube.

2. Tissue:

   1. Clean and debride the wound.

   2. Clean surface with sterile saline

   3. Obtain tissue sample from the deep part of the wound or base of the lesion/wound/ulcer.

   4. Never submit swab that has been rubbed over surface of the tissue.

Container:

1. Tissue is placed into a sterile screw cup container.  You can add several drops of sterile saline to keep small pieces of tissue moist.  Alternatively, very small pieces of tissue can be placed into a small square of moist sterile gauze.

2. Aspirate is placed into a sterile container.

3. For anaerobic culture:  Samples should be placed into oxygen free environment using anaerobic transport media.  Large piece of tissue (< 1 cm³) can be placed only in sterile container without anaerobic transport media.

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