Molecular
Wound Care
Wound Care
Molecular Services
Our laboratory offers advanced molecular identification techniques to quickly and accurately determine the organism(s) responsible for a patient’s infection and any antibiotic-resistant genes they may have. Within 24 hours of receiving a sample, we can screen for the most commonly known pathogens that would cause wound infection including bacterial, fungal, and viral organisms, and provide optional antibiotic sensitivity testing. Highly trained clinical pharmacists view every report and produce customized therapeutic guidance based on the clinical relevance of each pathogen and the resistant gene detected.
What we look for:
Our testing method involves analyzing the genetic material of pathogens, which allows us to simultaneously identify a wide spectrum of microbes, including viruses, bacteria, and fungi. This approach provides a more definitive diagnosis compared to traditional culture-based methods and is not affected by current antibiotic use.
Antibiotic Stewardship
Additionally, our laboratory offers Antibiotic Stewardship through Antibiotic Sensitivity Testing, which can provide information on how sensitive organisms are to a variety of antibiotics within 24-48 hours of receipt. We screen for 25 antibiotic resistance targets to help guide appropriate antibiotic therapy and promote responsible antibiotic use.
Overall, our lab’s rapid and comprehensive testing services can aid clinicians in making informed treatment decisions for their patients and help combat the spread of antibiotic-resistant infections.
Where Innovation Meets Precision:
Collection Procedure
Use only an authorized Exova Diagnostics specimen collection kit, use only materials provided in the kit to collect and transport the specimen.
Ensuring proper collection will aid in maintaining the integrity of the sample and the viability thereof.
Collect the patient sample using the provided swab. Avoid touching the swab applicator below the pink molded breakpoint. Remove cap from the tube and insert the swab to the bottom of the tube. Holding the tube away from face, grasp the end of swab shaft and bend at a 180 degree angle to break at the pink breakpoint. If needed, gently rotate the swab shaft to complete the breakage. Screw the cap on tightly to prevent leakage. Identify tube with patient information, two unique identifiers, and send to laboratory.
Submission Requirements
Store COPAN ESwab® specimens at 15-30°C and submit to the laboratory as soon as possible to maintain sample integrity and viability.
Specimen Storage & Transportation
Transport the specimen to the laboratory as soon as possible. Shipping of specimens within medical institutions should comply with internal guidelines of the institution. Local courier service is available for transport.
Shipping Guidelines
Pack and ship collected wound samples as UN 3373 Biological Substance, Category B, in accordance with the current edition of the International Air Transport Association (IATA) Dangerous Goods Regulations and U.S. Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Transporting Infectious Substances Safely.
Collection Kits
Exova Diagnostics specimen collection kits consist of: Polyethyleen Zip Biohazard Bag 5 cm – 9 cm with absorbent pad, COPAN ESwab® collection tube, and specimen labels.
Do not use materials after expiration date, refer to printed dates on tubes. Collection kits can be requested through inquiry@exovadx.com or through your local service manager.
Turnaround Times
Results from the wound pathogen panel will be available within 24 hours from receipt of sample, therapeutic guidance is available between 24-48 thereafter.
Rejection Criteria
Specimens not in adherence to laboratory policy regarding proper collection and preservation of specimen will be rejected from acceptance. Rejection criteria include samples received post 96 hours from collection, expired collection material, collections with no swab present or not supplied by laboratory, collection tube containing < 300 uL, unlabeled specimen tubes, contaminated samples.