BURN TISSUE/EXUDATE, CULTURE, AEROBIC BACTERIA

Test Code: WS, TIS

Test Indications:
Tissue (after debridement) or swabs of exudates may be submitted from burn wounds.

Recommendations:
Culture burn wounds only after extensive cleaning and debridement. Surface cultures of burn wounds may be misleading and usually represent colonization.  Thoroughly rinse the wound with sterile saline, after debridement, prior to sample collection.  Biopsy specimens are recommended as the optimal specimen type.  For exudate submissions, collect the exudate as it appears by sampling it firmly with a swab.  Surface cultures of burn wounds may be misleading and usually represent colonization.  Samples should only be submitted for aerobic culture.

Patient Preparation Instructions:
Accurate patient identification must be made prior to sample collection.  Patient identification should be done in accordance with site policy.
Samples and requisitions must be labeled/completed in accordance with the Shared Health Specimen Acceptance Policy.  Indicate current antimicrobial therapy on the requisition.

Several drops of sterile saline should be added to tissue in the sterile specimen container if the sample cannot be delivered immediately to the lab.

_SH Microbiology - Provincial Requisition (R250-10-06)

A descriptive report will be provided.

Daily

TISSUE BIOPSY/TISSUE ASPIRATE/ABSCESS/ASPIRATE FLUID/BONE, CULTURE, AEROBIC/ANAEROBIC BACTERIA

WOUND, CULTURE, SUPERFICIAL (E.G., DECUBITUS ULCER/ ABSCESS/IMPETIGO), AEROBIC BACTERIA

WOUND, CULTURE, DEEP (E.G., HUMAN BITE/ANIMAL BITE), AEROBIC/ANAEROBIC BACTERIA,

Specimen Handling:
Transport to the laboratory as soon as possible (<2 hrs, locally). 
Store at 2-8°C prior to submission (≤24 hrs).
Ensure samples that are being sent to a referral laboratory are packaged in accordance with Transport of Dangerous Goods recommendations for diagnostic samples.