Purpose

For the detection of bacteria responsible for skin and soft tissue infections. Other sources include mucous membranes, pus and exudates.  Interpretation of microbial cultures taken from open skin wounds may be compromised because these surfaces often harbor a variety of skin flora.  Proper disinfection prior to specimen collection will ensure the organism obtained for culture is more likely to be a significant pathogen.  The quality of the specimen will be assessed by Gram stain and will be used to limit the number of organisms worked up from mixed cultures.