SSTI Treatment Algorithm

In patients with a chronic infected wound or chronic osteomyelitis and are hemodynamically stable obtain good cultures in a sterile environment before beginning antibiotics

Blood cultures are not recommended for clinically stable patients

Consider blood cultures in immunocompromised and hemodynamically unstable patients

Cultures of ulcers should be done via debridement and in a sterile environment

Incision and drainage (I & D) and culture and sensitivities (C & S) should be performed for all patients with drainable collections

Isolation of Pseudomonas and Enterococcus from superficial cultures are often of no value and often do not represent the cause of bacterial infection