Wound swab

Wound swabs can be divided into simple, complex, dirty, deep and sterile sites. Simple swabs include skin, surfaces, general wounds and surgical sites. Complex swabs include abscess, bites, cellulitis, pus, sinus, fistula sites. Dirty swabs include ulcers and pressure sores. Deep swabs include biopsy, bone, cysts, lymph node, orthopaedic, pin sites. Sterile swabs from sterile fluids. It is perferred if actual fluid is sent instead of a swab. It is essential that the site of the wound is indicated as this will influence the selection of media used for culturing and the interpretation of cultures. Microbiology will perform isolation, identification and susceptibility of any organism likely to be pathogenic, depending on site Gram stain may be performed. Turn around time 2-3 days.