HELP reading wound cultures to doctor

[rae8810]

Just informed that next Monday me and another RN at the wound clinic will be responsible for reading culture results to various physicians over the phone and from this notifying the patient on which antibiotic to be on and so forth. The case manager RN that does this is not in the office Monday, thus me and the other RN are doing this. Questions: How do we read culture results and what specifically is the doctor wanting to know?? Any advice would be great!!! Thanks! Anyone that can help specific to wound care would be great.

[nursej22, MSN, RN]

Culture results are usually written out, so you read what it says. Preliminary results may just describe the initial impression " heavy growth of gram positive cocci in chains". Final results will usually identify the organism(s): Staphylococcus aureus or whatever. The report will also include the sensitivities and resistance.

Doc will decide from that what to prescribe, if anything. Be sure you know the allergies before you call.