Collect
Swab: Using a sterile swab, collect the sample deep into the lesion at its
advancing edge. Two swabs prefered, one for gram stain and one for culture.
Aspirate: Aspirate the wound using a needle and syringe.
The syringe may be capped or the specimen may be transferred to a sterile
transport container.
Drainage: Aspirate drainage fluid aseptically from the drainage collection tubing.
Patient Prep
Rinse open wounds with sterile saline.
Clean closed wounds with 2% chlorhexidine or 70% alcohol followed by
iodine solution. The iodine solution should be removed before collecting
the sample.
Disinfect any collection tubing before collecting drainage samples.
Storage Transport Temp
Specimens should be transported to the lab at room temperature within 2 hours of collection or Refrigerated.
Stability
2 hours at RT; 24 hours at 4 degrees C
Notes
Swabs: Copan white cap with Amies preferred, one swab for gram stain, one swab for culture