Understanding Your Laboratory Test: What It Is, How It Is Done, and How to Get Ready
A wound culture test identifies bacteria causing an infection in a shallow wound to help doctors choose the right treatment.
{"This test finds germs causing wound infections","Helps doctors select the correct antibiotic","Results usually come back in 2-5 days","A small sample is taken from your wound with a swab"}
Key facts at a glance
- LOINC
- 17915-0
- Short code
- WNDCRSH
- Synonyms
- Bacteria Shlw Wnd Aerobe Cult
- Category
- chemistry
- Sample
- serum
- Container
- Sterile aerobic culturette swab with Amies or Stuart transport medium; sterile screw-cap container for aspirates or tissue fragments; sterile anaerobic transport system if anaerobes are also suspected
- Units
- N/A
- Fasting
- false
- Population
- adult
- Sex
- all
- Age range
- ≥ 0 years
- Method
- aerobic-culture
- CPT
- 87071
- SNOMED
- 434351000124107
- Specimen volume
- Minimum one swab or 1-2 mL of aspirated fluid; tissue specimens should be at least 0.5 cm³ and submitted in sterile saline to prevent desiccation
- Stability
- Room temperature: stable for transport up to 2 hours; refrigerated (2-8°C): up to 24 hours; should be processed as soon as possible after collection. Do not freeze. Specimens should be transported to the laboratory promptly to maintain viability of fastidious organisms
- Hemolysis max
- 500
- Lipemia max
- 1000
- Icterus max
- 500
- TAT
- 48–168 hours
- Order
- routine
This test is a laboratory analysis performed on a sample of your blood or another body fluid to help your doctor evaluate your overall health, screen for certain medical conditions, monitor an ongoing illness, or check how well a treatment is working for you.
A wound culture is a laboratory test that helps identify bacteria or other germs that may be causing an infection in a shallow wound. The test uses aerobic culture methods, which means it grows bacteria that need oxygen to survive. This information helps your healthcare provider choose the most effective treatment for your specific infection.
A trained healthcare professional will usually draw a small amount of blood from a vein in your arm using a sterile needle, a process that takes only a few minutes. Depending on what your doctor has ordered, the sample may instead come from a fingertip prick, a urine specimen, or a swab from your throat or nose.
A healthcare professional will gently swab the surface of your wound with a sterile cotton swab or collect a small piece of tissue from the wound area. The sample is then placed in a special container and sent to the laboratory for analysis. The collection process is usually quick and may cause brief discomfort.
Once your sample reaches the laboratory, trained technicians label it, prepare it, and analyze it with specialized equipment and validated methods. They measure the substances the test is designed to detect, run quality checks to confirm the results are accurate, and then send the report to your doctor, who will explain what it means for you.
In the lab, the sample is placed on growth plates and kept at body temperature. Technicians watch for bacteria to grow over several days. Once bacteria grow, they are identified through various tests. The lab may also test which antibiotics can effectively treat the infection, a process called susceptibility or sensitivity testing.
Most laboratory tests require very little preparation. Follow any specific instructions from your doctor, such as fasting for 8 to 12 hours beforehand if required, drinking plenty of water so your veins are easier to find, and telling the staff about all medications, vitamins, or supplements you take, since some can affect your results. Wear a sleeve that rolls up easily.
No special preparation is needed for a wound culture. Simply keep your wound clean and dry before your appointment. Tell your doctor about any antibiotics you are currently taking, as these may affect test results. Follow any specific instructions given by your healthcare provider.
Reference range
No growth of pathogenic aerobic bacteria; normal skin flora may be reported (e.g., coagulase-negative staphylococci, Corynebacterium species, Propionibacterium species) as commensal organismsN/A
Wound surface should be cleaned with sterile saline prior to sample collection to remove surface contaminants and exudate. Avoid touching the wound edges or surrounding skin with the collection swab. For shallow wounds, sample the viable tissue at the wound base. Discontinue topical antibiotics or antiseptic solutions for at least 24-48 hours prior to specimen collection when clinically feasible. Inform the laboratory of current or recent antibiotic therapy
Clinical interpretation
How abnormal results are interpreted and what conditions they suggest.
Wound culture results are crucial for guiding treatment decisions. By identifying the specific bacteria causing your infection, doctors can prescribe targeted antibiotics instead of broad-spectrum ones. This helps ensure effective treatment, reduces the risk of antibiotic resistance, and minimizes potential side effects. The test is particularly important for wounds that are not healing properly, showing signs of infection like redness, swelling, pus, or increased pain.
Frequently asked questions
Will the test hurt?
How long does it take to get results?
What do the results mean?
Do I need to do anything after the test?
Sources
- 1
- 2
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This information is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
This content is for general informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the guidance of a qualified healthcare provider with any questions you have about a medical condition, and never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you read here.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your local emergency number or go to the nearest emergency department immediately.
Medically reviewed by WellAlly Editorial Team Last reviewed August 16, 2026. · Read our editorial policy