eSwab
Swab
Labeling: Immediately after collection, the container must be labeled with the patient’s full name, date of birth, date and time of collection, and the specific anatomical site of the wound.
Transport: Deliver the specimen to the laboratory as soon as possible after collection, ideally within two hours.
Storage/Temperature:
Bacterial Culture: Transport at room temperature is generally acceptable, but if transport is delayed, refrigeration is preferable to storage at ambient temperature to maintain viability and prevent overgrowth of normal flora. eSwabs are stable for up to 24 hours at room temperature.
Viral Culture: Specimens for viral culture (if applicable) must be transported on ice immediately.
Unlabeled or mislabeled specimens
Room Temperature
Mon-Sat
A day after collection
qPCR
Molecular
RML
Wound PCR Panel, Wound Panel With Sensitivity to Aerobic and Anaerobic
Wound Culture
MWAcBa, MWBaFr, MWCitX, MWEnBX, MWEnCX, MWEsCo, MWMoMo, MWPrVM, MWPsAe, MWCoag, MWStAu, MWStPy, MUKlOP, Corynebac, MWCTX, MWmecA, MWErm, MWFluor, MWTetr, MWVans, MWOxas, Carbapenam, WTMP/SMX, MRSACX, ESBLCW
Antimicrobial agents: Collection after the start of antimicrobial therapy can lead to false-negative results.
Contamination with normal flora: Touching the surrounding skin, superficial debris, or eschar (necrotic tissue) will contaminate the sample with skin microbiota, making it difficult to identify the true pathogen from the wound bed.
Incorrect Swab Type: Using a standard cotton-tipped swab not meant for culture or a dry swab can compromise the sample quality and recovery of organisms.
Delay in Transport: A significant delay in transport to the lab can result in overgrowth of certain bacteria, skewing the test results.
Wound Cleansers: Using wound cleansers or other antiseptic solutions (other than sterile saline) immediately prior to collection can kill the bacteria and interfere with culture results.
Aseptic Technique: Use proper hand hygiene and don clean gloves, using aseptic non-touch technique during the procedure.
Wound Preparation (Crucial Step): The wound should be thoroughly cleansed with sterile normal saline to remove superficial exudate and debris before sampling the viable tissue. Do not use wound cleansers.
Sampling Method (Levine Technique Recommended): After cleaning, identify a 1 cm² area of viable, inflamed tissue or the advancing margin of the lesion. Apply firm pressure with the swab and rotate it across the surface for about five seconds, ensuring the swab absorbs fluid from the wound bed.
Sample Quality: Swabs are inferior to tissue or fluid aspirate samples; obtain the best possible specimen (pus aspirate or tissue biopsy) if possible.
Communication: Provide detailed clinical information on the requisition form, including the wound type (surgical, traumatic, pressure ulcer), location, and any current antibiotic therapy.
87500
87641
87651
87798
87999
