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Test Code WDGS WOUND CULTURE WITH GRAM STAIN

Important Note

If anaerobes are suspected, order ANAER “Culture, Anaerobic.”

Note:

  • Aspirated Body Fluids should be sent to the laboratory immediately after collection.
  • Specimen source is required for all specimens 

Methodology

Conventional Culture Technique

  • Includes Gram stain.

 

Specimen Requirements

Preferred:

 

Aspirate

Container/Tube: Sterile container(s)
Specimen Volume: 0.5 mL of aspirate

Collection Instructions: Aspirate material using sterile syringe as follows:

  1. Disinfect skin surface with 70% alcohol. Allow to dry.
  2. Aspirate deepest portion of abscess with sterile needle and syringe or catheter.
  3. Transfer aspirate to sterile container.
  4. Label container with patient’s legal name, date and actual time of collection, and type of specimen.

Alternate:

 

Swab

Container/Tube: Swab(s)
Specimen Volume: Entire specimen

Collection Instructions: If unable to collect aspirate, 1 sterile culture swab may be used to obtain specimen as follows:

  1. Pass swab deep into abscess and sample lesion’s advancing edge. 
  2. Insert swab into moist sponge in swab container to preserve specimen.
  3. Label container with patient’s legal name, date and actual time of collection, and type of specimen.

 

Day(s) Test Set Up

Monday through Sunday

Reference Values

No growth

Critical value (automatic call-back): positive for Clostridium

Performing Laboratory

Logan Health Medical Center Laboratory

Test Classification and CPT Coding

87070-Culture

87205-Gram stain

87076-Anaerobic identification, each (if appropriate)

87077-Aerobic identification, each (if appropriate)

87184-Kirby-Bauer, each (if appropriate)

87186-MIC, each (if appropriate)

Specimen Transport Temperature

Ambient/Refrigerate NO/Frozen NO