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Specimen Collection Manual and Test Catalog

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CULTURE, WOUND, DEEP, AEROBIC

Geisinger Epic Procedure Code:  LAB2151    Geisinger Epic ID:  47492

SPECIMEN COLLECTION
Specimen type: 

Wound aspirate, abscess, drainage, pilonidal cyst, deep wound, decubitis ulcer, non-sterile fluids (i.e. aspirates, abscess, seroma, psoas)


Preferred collection container: 
Alternate collection container: 
Anaerobic Transport Media (ATM)
Specimen required: 

One swab. 
Fluids: 5-10 mL; minimum 1mL


Special notes: 

Eswab is the preferred collection device for wounds, abscesses, ulcers; Sterile container/tube is the preferred device for fluid collections. Check expiration date on transport device before use. When collecting specimen, take precaution to avoid contamination with normal bacterial flora. .


Patient preparation: 

Use skin disinfection procedure as appropriate prior to skin puncture where applicable.



SPECIMEN PROCESSING
Processing instructions: 

Immediately transport all specimens to the laboratory to optimize bacterial recovery.


Transport temperature: 

Room temperature.


Specimen stability: 

Eswab: < 72 hours. 
Sterile container/tube: < 24 hours. 
Anaerobic Transport Media: < 72 hours.


Rejection criteria: 

Improperly labeled/identified specimen. Improperly collected specimens. Expired transport device. Grossly contaminated specimens. Delay in transport or transport at the wrong temperature.



TEST DETAILS
Reference interval: 

No growth. Normal flora, if applicable.


CPT code(s):  87070, 87205
Note: The billing party has sole responsibility for CPT coding.  Any questions regarding coding should be directed to the payer being billed.
The CPT codes provided by GML are based on AMA guidelines and are for informational purposes only.

Test includes: 

Isolation and identification of aerobic pathogens. Semi-quantitation of normal flora if appropriate. Antibiotic susceptibility testing and bacterial identification performed as appropriate. Additional charges may apply.

Optimal microbiology practice and recommendations indicate that a Gram stain is to be performed on all deep wound specimens. For that reason, a Gram stain is included at an additional charge with this culture.


Methodology: 
Culture
Synonyms: 

Aerobic, culture, wound culture, abscess culture, ROUT, DWCA


Clinical significance: 

Significance is determined by relating the growth of a particular microorganism to a specific body site/disease.


Doctoral Director(s): 
Donna Wolk PhD, D(ABMM)
Raquel Martinez, PhD, D(ABMM)
Review Date:  12/31/2024

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