Wound swab culture in Chiswick
A wound swab culture identifies bacteria in a cut, ulcer or surgical wound and shows which antibiotics they respond to. It is booked when a wound is red, painful, weeping or slow to heal.
What the test measures
After the wound surface is cleaned, a swab is rolled across the wound bed to collect a sample. The laboratory cultures it to identify bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus, streptococci or Pseudomonas, and tests which antibiotics they are sensitive or resistant to.
Every open wound has some bacteria on its surface, so the aim is to find an organism that is causing infection rather than simply living on the skin. A swab is generally most useful when there are signs of infection, such as spreading redness, warmth, pus, swelling or increasing pain, and especially when an infection has not improved with a first course of treatment.
The price includes your sample at our Chiswick clinic, analysis at the Randox accredited laboratory, a review of your result with an Omnia practitioner, and a GP feedback report on request.
Who it is for
- You have a cut, graze or bite that has become red, hot, swollen or painful.
- You have a surgical wound that is weeping or not healing as expected.
- You have a leg ulcer or pressure sore that seems to be getting worse.
- Your wound has not improved on a first course of antibiotics.
- You have diabetes and a slow-healing wound on your foot or leg.
Understanding your result
Your report names any organisms grown and whether they are a likely cause of infection, followed by a list of antibiotics marked as sensitive or resistant. Skin flora only usually means no significant pathogen was found. Your practitioner explains the findings and, if treatment may be needed, the report can be shared with your GP to guide prescribing.
A culture is read alongside how the wound looks and feels. A positive swab without signs of infection may only reflect colonisation, which does not always need antibiotics. If redness is spreading quickly, you feel feverish or unwell, or the wound smells and is very painful, seek same-day medical care through NHS 111, your GP or A&E rather than waiting for a test.
Preparing for your test
No fasting is required. Leave the wound dressed as usual and do not apply antiseptic or antibiotic creams on the day of the swab if you can avoid it. Let us know about any antibiotics you have taken recently, as they can affect what grows.
Wounds can be slow to heal when blood sugar is high, which HbA1c can check, or when iron and nutrients are low, which the Nutritional and Digestive Health check looks at. Browse every blood test and price in Chiswick.
Questions
How much is a wound swab culture in Chiswick?
A wound swab culture costs £139 at Omnia Lifestyle. The price includes the swab at our Chiswick clinic, culture with antibiotic sensitivity testing at the accredited laboratory, a practitioner review, and a GP feedback report on request.
Do all wounds need a swab?
No. Swabs are most useful when a wound shows signs of infection or is not responding to treatment. A clean, healing wound does not usually need one.
Will the swab tell me which antibiotic to take?
The report shows which antibiotics the bacteria are sensitive to. A prescriber then uses this, along with your health and allergies, to choose treatment.
What does no growth on a wound swab mean?
No significant growth suggests a bacterial infection is less likely. If the wound is still not healing, your practitioner may discuss blood flow, blood sugar, nutrition or a review with a wound care nurse.
