Algorithms for wound specimens

Abstract Determining the quality of a wound specimen is the first important step in processing that specimen for bacterial culture. Additionally, the identification and antimicrobial susceptibility testing of isolates from wounds should be directed by the results of the direct Gram-stained smear examination. The Q score can guide the technologist in determining which isolates to identify in these specimens. This scheme can minimize the culturing and/or work up of unacceptable or superficially contaminated specimens, and this, together with decreased expense association with identification to the species level and antimicrobial susceptibility testing, will decrease the cost to the microbiology laboratory. More importantly, use of these guidelines will reduce the reporting of clinically misleading information that might lead to the misdiagnosis of infectious processes and the inappropriate use of antimicrobial agents.