MRSA Screening Culture for Sources Other Than NARES
POWERCHART ORDER – MRSA Screening Culture
Useful For
Drug resistant strains of Staphylococcus aureus have become widespread in the population, currently approaching 50% of all strains isolated in the clinical laboratory. Because of the impact this has on therapy and the possibility of nosocomial transmission, rapid screening for MRSA has become of high importance.
MRSA Screen cultures are also used for surveillance of patients known to have harbored MRSA in the past.
- For specimens other than NARES
- Use this culture if Screening for MRSA only
- Use for mouth, throat or wounds, urine in gray top vacutainer transport tube, and sputum in a sterile, leakproof container
Method Name
Culture
Aliases
MRSA Screen; MRSA Screening Culture; MRSA
Specimen Type
- E-Swab
- Culturette
Specimen Required
E-swabs or culturette of cutaneous surfaces, mouth, nares, throat or wounds, urine in gray top vacutainer transport tube, and sputum in a sterile, leakproof container.
Specimen Minimum Volume
- 1 swab
- 1 mL of urine or sputum
Specimen Stability Information
- Transport all specimens at room temperature.
- Sputum specimens must be received within 2 hours of collection.
- Urine specimens are stable for 48 hours. Swab specimens are stable for 48 hours after collection.
*NOTE* Specimens that do not meet the above criteria will be rejected.
Rejected Due To
- Specimens not transported at room temperature.
- Sputum specimens not received within 2 hours of collection.
- Urine specimens not received within 48 hours. Swab specimens are stable not received 48 hours after collection.
Special Instructions
- Specimens must be labeled with complete source and body site information.
- Exam is designed to screen for continued colonization with MRSA on known or suspected patients. Susceptibility testing is not routinely performed. Isolates are saved and additional testing may be performed upon Physician request.
- When culturing both right and left nares, they should be collected on the same swab. If received separately, they will be combined into one culture.
- For specimens other than NARES
- Use this culture if Screening for MRSA only
- Use for mouth, throat or wounds, urine in gray top vacutainer transport tube, and sputum in a sterile, leak proof container.
Performing Laboratory
Glens Falls Hospital Microbiology Laboratory
Reference Values
No Growth MRSA ( Negative Result)
Day(s) and Time(s) Performed
- Day Shift
- 7 days per week
Analytical Time
2-3 days
Specimen Retention Time
72 hours
Analytical Time
2-3 days