Test Overview
Test Methodology

Culture

Test Usage

Isolate and identify potentially pathogenic organisms

Reference Range *

No potential pathogens isolated

* Reference ranges may change over time. Please refer to the original patient report when evaluating results.

Test Limitations

If the culture grows 3 or more significant organisms, no further identification or susceptibilities will be done except on: Staphylococcus aureus, vancomycin resistant Enterococcus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Acinetobacter baumanii complex, Group A Beta Streptococcus and Streptococcus pneumoniae.
Presence of normal skin flora will be reported. Normal skin flora includes the following: coagulase negative Staphylococcus (unless predominant), alpha or gamma streptococci, Neisseria sp (not N. meningitidis or N. gonorrhoeae), Bacillus sp (not B. cereus or B. anthracis), Micrococcus and diphtheroid/lactobacillus.

Test Details
Days Set Up
Daily
Analytic Time

Preliminary results are reported in 18-24 hours. Negative cultures are reported after 3 days.

Soft Order Code
WDTSG
MiChart Code
Wound Culture
Synonyms
  • Abscess, Routine Culture
  • Wound Culture, Aerobic
  • Cellulitis Aspirate, Routine Culture
  • Culture, Wound, Aerobic
  • Ear, Routine Culture
  • Pus, Routine Culture
  • Routine Culture, Wound
  • Skin, Routine Culture
  • Umbilical Cord, Routine Culture
  • WDTSG
  • WOUND CULTURE
Laboratory
Microbiology
Section
Microbiology
Specimen Requirements
Collection Instructions

Collect pus, exudate from wound, abscess, cellulitis aspirate, ear, skin, urethra or umbilical cord. Avoid contamination with normal flora from skin, rectum, vagina or other body surfaces. For optimum recovery, send immediately. If specimen must be stored, refrigerate immediately after specimen collection. Male patients: Using small swab gently scrape the anterior urethral mucosa or urethral discharge

Normal Volume
1-2 swabs (ESwab) or 0.5-2.0 mL aspirate
Minimum Volume
1 swab (ESwab) or 0.5 mL aspirate
Storage Temperature
Ambient: No
Refrigerated: Up to 12 hours
Frozen: No
Rejection Criteria
Specimen older than 12 hours.
Additional Information

Test includes culture and Gram stain smear if sufficient specimen is received. Test includes susceptibility testing of potentially pathogenic organism(s) at an additional charge unless specifically declined. If anaerobes are suspected, submit a properly collected specimen for anaerobic culture.

Billing
CPT Code
87070 Culture, 87205 Gram Stain
Fee Code
32235 Culture, 20222 Gram Stain