Direct burn culture

This test detects and isolates microorganisms from a burn site. This test is used to monitor for a suspected bacterial infection of the skin in burn patients. A sample of wound material, drainage, or skin from a burn site may be collected for this test .

Laboratory tests may be done for many reasons. Tests are performed for routine health screenings or if a disease or toxicity is suspected. Lab tests may be used to determine if a medical condition is improving or worsening. Lab tests may also be used to measure the success or failure of a medication or treatment plan. Lab tests may be ordered for professional or legal reasons. You may need this test if you have:

• Bacterial infection of skin

Wound material/drainage:

Before a wound culture, you may be offered medication for pain. You will need to have your body in a position to allow the healthcare worker access to the wound.

Skin:

Written consent may be required for a skin biopsy. Review the consent form with the healthcare worker and ask any questions that you have before signing the consent form.

Tell the healthcare worker if you have a medical condition, or are using a medication or supplement that causes excessive bleeding. You should also report if you have a history of allergic or other reactions to local anesthetics.

A sample of wound material, drainage, or skin may be collected for this test.

Wound material/drainage:

A wound culture sample may be made up of cells, tissue, or fluid. Methods used to obtain a wound culture vary depending on many factors, including the location and type of wound. Before the procedure, the healthcare worker will usually clean the area with antiseptic solution, and place sterile cloth around the wound. To collect a sample from certain wounds, the healthcare worker will press or squeeze near or on the wound and use a sterile swab to gather fluid, cells, or tissue. The swab may also be inserted deeply into the wound and rotated to collect a sample. For a deep wound, a needle and syringe may be used to draw material from the base of the wound for the sample.

Skin:

Skin tissue biopsies may be collected using the excision, punch, or shave methods. After a biopsy site is selected and cleaned, local anesthetic will be given to numb the area. If excision is done, a scalpel is used to completely remove a skin area such as a growth or lesion. If the punch method is used, a hollow tool is rotated on the sample area to obtain a tiny core of tissue, which is then removed with tweezers. If the shave method is used, only tissue that sticks out above the skin line (such as a growth) will be removed.

The amount of discomfort you feel will depend on many factors, including your sensitivity to pain. Communicate how you are feeling with the person doing the procedure. Inform the person doing the procedure if you feel that you cannot continue with the procedure.

Wound material/drainage:

The amount of discomfort you feel will depend on many factors, including your sensitivity to pain. Communicate how you are feeling with the person doing the procedure. Inform the person doing the procedure if you feel that you cannot continue with the procedure.

Skin:

Before the skin biopsy, a local anesthetic is given to the procedure site to numb the area. You may feel mild discomfort or stinging when the numbing medicine is injected. After the medication wears off, the biopsy area may be sore for several days.

Wound material/drainage:

After a wound culture, follow the healthcare worker’s instructions regarding taking care of the wound. Call your healthcare worker if you have increasing pain, redness, swelling, discharge or bleeding from the wound. Inform them if you develop a fever, start vomiting, or have increasing fatigue.

Skin:

After a skin biopsy is completed, pressure may be held on the area, and a dressing placed over the biopsy site. If the incision is large or deep, stitches, staples, or adhesive strips may be used to close the biopsy site. Ask for instructions for how to care for the bandage and how to monitor for signs and symptoms of infection. Contact your healthcare worker if you have a fever or increased pain, and if you see redness, swelling, or pus at the procedure site.

You have the right to help plan your care. To help with this plan, you must learn about your health condition and how it may be treated. You can then discuss treatment options with your caregivers. Work with them to decide what care may be used to treat you. You always have the right to refuse treatment.