A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z #

Culture, Wound

Test Code
CXWND


Alias/See Also
Wound Culture, aerobic culture, anaerobic culture, bone culture, tissue culture, abcess


CPT Codes
87070

Includes
May include Aerobic, Anaerobic, Gram stain, and Identification and sensitivities as applicable.


Preferred Specimen
Swabs, catheter tips, bone, tissue, abcess


Instructions
Specimen Collection:  Wound Drainage, Deep or Surface Wounds, Abscesses, Bone Fragments
Best specimen is tissue, biopsy, or syringe aspirate collected from leading edge of wound. 
When swabs are used, ALWAYS COLLECT TWO SWABS for Wound Cultures. Additional swabs are needed for AFB and Fungal Cultures
 
Preparation: 
  1. Apply disposable gloves, remove and discard old dressing. Fold soiled sides of dressing together and dispose of soiled dressing in bag.
  2. Cleanse area around wound edges with antiseptic swab to remove old exudate and contamination. Discard this swab and dispose of soiled gloves in bag.
  3. Assemble supplies: 2 culture swabs or syringe, and new dressing supplies.
  4. Put on sterile gloves.
  5. Collect specimen (refer to chart)
  6. Label specimen(s) and send to the laboratory immediately.
  7. Clean wound as ordered, and apply new sterile dressing.
  8. Remove gloves by pulling inside out, and dispose of gloves in trash. Dispose of soiled supplies according to institution policy.
  9. Secure dressings with tape or ties.
  10. Assist patient to comfortable position.
  11. Perform hand hygiene.
DEEP WOUND Deep Wounds, Wound drainage:   Aerobic and Anaerobic Culture SURFACE WOUND – SKIN,
CATHETER SITE, RASH, ETC.		 TISSUE OR BONE FRAGMENTS ABSCESS (closed abscess)
 
 
1 WHITE SWAB:  (Aerobic Culture and Gram Stain)
1 BLUE SWAB:  (Anaerobic Culture)
 
  • BEST:  Using a syringe with/or without needle attached, aspirate purulent material (remove needle before sending to lab) or put into sterile container.
  • ALTERNATE:  Clean area around wound site.  Apply pressure to the area and express purulent material from the insertion site; use swab to collect aspirated material. SEND TWO (2) WHITE SWABS.
  • Also swabs can be used by inserting the tip into the wound in the area of drainage. Rotate swab gently. Place swab back into the culture tube - collect aerobic and anaerobic swabs.
  
2  WHITE SWABS  (Aerobic culture and Gram Stain)
 
  • BEST:  Using a syringe with/or without needle attached, aspirate purulent material (remove needle before sending to lab) or put into sterile container.
  • ALTERNATE:  Clean area around wound site.  Apply pressure to the area and express purulent material from the insertion site; use swab to collect aspirated material. SEND TWO (2) WHITE SWABS.
 Submit in sterile container. 
Small amount of normal saline is OK to keep tissue moist, but do not use bacteriostatic saline.
 
Unacceptable Specimens: 
  • Gel transport swab tubes.
  • Formalin specimens. 
 
 		 Closed abscess (reddened, swollen) areas:  Aspirate abscess wall material with needle and syringe.  Leave the specimen in the syringe, remove needle, then cap the specimen, label, and send to the lab. 
 
Or, specimen could be put into a sterile container or sterile tube (see picture below). 
 
 
Unacceptable Specimen: 
  • Drainage squirted onto swab. 
  • Swab that was moistened with fluid.
 
 
 
                       


Specimen Stability
  • Specimens should be processed as quickly as possible.  Ideally, specimens in syringes should be processed within 30 minutes.
  • Anaerobic systems are stable for at least 2 hours.


Setup Schedule
24x7


Report Available
Surgery Gram stains are availble in 30 minutes.
Culture results available in 3-5 days


Performing Laboratory
CRMC Microbiology Laboratory



The CPT Codes provided in this document are based on AMA guidelines and are for informational purposes only. CPT coding is the sole responsibility of the billing party. Please direct any questions regarding coding to the payor being billed. Any Profile/panel component may be ordered separately. Reflex tests are performed at an additional charge.