Purpose
To standardize processing and culture of wound/swab culture.
Scope
This procedure applies to trained microbiology laboratory personnel working within an approved quality-management and biosafety system.
Principle
Recovery of pathogens depends on collecting representative material while minimizing superficial contamination and using suitable culture media.
Specimen / Test Material
Appropriate wound material or swab collected from the clinically relevant site using approved technique.
Equipment and Materials
- Appropriate validated culture media
- Inoculating equipment
- Incubation system
- Identification reagents or system
- AST materials where indicated
Procedure
- Verify specimen source and collection details.
- Assess specimen suitability.
- Inoculate validated culture media.
- Incubate appropriately.
- Evaluate significant growth in relation to specimen source.
- Identify relevant isolates and perform AST when indicated.
Quality Control and Quality Assurance
Use specimen-specific acceptance criteria and monitor media quality.
Reporting
Report clinically significant findings, relevant negative results and limitations according to laboratory policy.
Safety
Use risk-based biosafety practices, appropriate personal protective equipment and approved decontamination and waste-disposal procedures. Treat clinical specimens and cultures according to the laboratory's biological risk assessment.
References
- World Health Organization (WHO): Toolkit for Standard Operating Procedures for Bacteriology, Mycology and Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing.
- WHO: Laboratory Biosafety Manual, 4th edition.
- WHO guidance on collection, packaging and transport of infectious substances.
- EUCAST methodology and quality-control guidance for antimicrobial susceptibility testing, where applicable.
- Current locally approved laboratory procedures and validated manufacturer instructions.