Advanced molecular testing for complex and non-healing wounds.
More information for a comprehensive wound evaluation. Laboratory findings are interpreted by a clinician, in context.
A wound that stops healing may be telling us something.
Infection, microbial burden, vascular disease, pressure, edema, tissue necrosis, metabolic factors, and other barriers can all contribute to delayed healing. Determining which factors matter requires more than looking at the surface of the wound. When clinically appropriate, CWS can incorporate advanced molecular laboratory testing, including PCR-based testing, as part of a comprehensive evaluation of a stalled or complex wound.
Additional information for the treating clinician.
Molecular testing can rapidly identify microbial DNA and selected resistance markers included in the laboratory panel, providing additional information that may help the treating clinician evaluate the wound and determine appropriate next steps. The information returned depends on the specific laboratory panel and the specimen submitted. Testing does not screen for every possible organism or explain every cause of delayed healing.
More information. Better-informed clinical decisions.
Laboratory results are never interpreted in isolation. Our wound specialists consider molecular findings together with the patient’s symptoms, wound appearance, healing trajectory, medical history, vascular status, previous treatments, medications, and other diagnostic information. Technology provides information. Physicians determine what it means.
Detecting microbial DNA does not by itself prove that an organism is causing infection, and selected resistance markers are not a complete antibiotic susceptibility profile. PCR is an adjunct, not a stand-alone diagnosis or automatic reason to prescribe antibiotics. For suspected diabetes-related foot infection, current IWGDF/IDSA guidance recommends conventional microbiology for first-line pathogen identification. The clinician selects testing in context. IWGDF/IDSA: diabetes-related foot infection guidance.
Testing answers a question within the care plan.
A consultation can help determine whether laboratory information, another diagnostic evaluation, or direct examination would address the uncertainty in a complex wound. Ask which question a proposed test is intended to answer and how the result could affect the next step. Learn more about advanced wound care and surgical wound evaluation when appropriate.
Start with a wound specialist.
Tell our team what is happening. We can help identify the appropriate next step for a virtual or in-person evaluation.