Advanced Diagnostic Laboratories

Collect

A variety of sites can be used to screen for MRSA colonization. The most sensitive sites include nasal, groin, rectal, throat, or an open skin lesion. Swabs of dry skin surfaces and nares should be premoistened with sterile non-bacteriostatic saline.

Patient Prep

Avoid antibiotic administration prior to sample collection.

For nasal screen, have the patient blow their nose prior to sample collection.

Unacceptable Conditions

• Specimens received outside of temperature storage requirements
• Specimens received outside of stability time frame
• Specimens in non-sterile swabs
• Specimens in expired transport media 
• Specimens from a source not acceptable for this testing
• Mislabeled or unlabeled specimen

Stability

• For optimal recovery of potential pathogens, specimens should arrive within 2 hours at room temperature (20-25°C) 
• If transportation is delayed, specimens may remain at room temperature (20-25°C) for a maximum of 24 hours
• If long delays are anticipated, specimens must be refrigerated (2-8°C) for a maximum of 5 days

Performed

7 Days a Week from 8am to 6pm

Methodology

Conventional culture

Turnaround Time

2 days

Department

Microbiology Lab

Synonyms

Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus culture, Staphyoloccus surveillance culture, Staphylococcus aureus colonization screen

 

Study Offerings

CAP/CLIA

Related Tests

N/A

Reference Interval

No Staphylococcus aureus isolated

Interpretation

• No Staphylococcus aureus isolates
• If MSSA is identified, the following result will appear on the report, "Staphylococcus aureus- identification of Methicillin Susceptible Staphylococcus aureus was confirmed by penicillin binding protein testing."
• If MRSA is identified, the following result will appear on the report, 
  "Staphylococcus aureus- identification of Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus was confirmed by penicillin binding protein testing."

CPT Code

87081

New York Approved

Standard

FDA

Standard Method