Specimen Requirements

Label container with patient’s name (first and last), date and actual time of collection, and type of specimen. Maintain sterility and forward promptly at ambient temperature only. Specimen source is required on request form for processing.

Chronic Opened Wounds (Fistulae, Incision Dehiscence, Sinus Tracts, Etc.)

1. Prepare site: wash wound margins well with antiseptic.
2. Collect specimen by curettage of biopsy of the wall of the wound. (Swabs are less worthy for examination of these wounds.)
3. Place specimen in a screw-capped, sterile container.

Skin Wounds (Boils, Pustules, Skin Lesions, Etc.)

1. Prepare site: wash wound margins well with antiseptic.
2. Use a culture transport swab to obtain specimen.
3. Remove cap with swab attached.
4. Obtain swab specimen from deep wound and/or drainage, and replace swab and cap on tube.
5. Return swab to sterile culture transport tube, and crush ampule to ensure specimen preservation.

Tissue (Deep Biopsy)

1. Initial debridement and cleaning of superficial debris- best sample,

Fluid

1. Aspirate purulent fluid from deeper pockets beneath superficial debris.

Subcutaneous Tissue (Exudate or Punch Biopsy)

1. Add sterile saline if small biopsy.

Decubitus Ulcer

1. General rule is not to culture these pressure wounds. They are colonized with numerous organisms.