Alpha Medical Lab
MRSA (Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus) Culture Screen
Ordered Test Code:
MRSA
| Lab Test Component | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Test Name | MRSA (Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus) Culture Screen |
| Alpha’s Order Test Code | MRSA |
| Specimen Collection Tube | Nasal Swab |
| Collection Tube Handling | “Specimens from skin sufaces “”non-wound”” (i.e. axilla, perianal and groin) Skin screen: 1. Use liquid (red-cap), gel (blue-cap) or Eswab (white-cap) to obtain the specimen. 2. Rub premoistened swab against skin (i.e. axilla, perianal and groin). 3. Return swab back to the plastic transport tube and make sure the cap is on tight.” |
| Minimum Volume | |
| Transport Temperture | Room Temp |
| Stability | Room temperature: 48 hours; Refrigerated: 48 hours; Frozen: Not acceptable |
| Collection Instructions | “1. Use Amies liquid transport medium (red-cap Copan® or BD® swab), or Amies gel transport medium (blue-cap Copan® or BD® swab) or Eswab to obtain the specimen. 2. Culture both anterior nares (the opening of each nostril) utilizing one culture swab. 3. Insert a premoistened swab (sterile non-bacteriostatic saline or water) about 2 cm and rotate the swab against the nasal mucosa back and forth of each nostril for 3 seconds – slight pressure with a finger on the outside of the nose helps to assure good contact between the swab and the inside of the nose. 4. Return swab back to the plastic transport tube and make sure the cap is on tight.” |
Clinical Significance
“MRSA is a major cause of nosocomial and life threatening infections. Infections with MRSA have been associated with a significantly high morbidity, mortality and cost. Selection of these organisms has been greatest in the healthcare setting. However, MRSA has also become more prevalent in the community. To control the transmission of MRSA, the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America (SHEA) has recommended guidelines, which include an active surveillance to identify potential reservoirs and a rigorous infection control program to control the spread of MRSA. Rapid, accurate, and cost-effective screening tests for MRSA colonization are needed in order to reduce the economic burden of this pathogen. The MRSA Culture Screen test detects colonization with Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in patients and can be used as a tool in infection prevention and control efforts. Early detection of this pathogen can accelerate the isolation process, thus minimizing the spread of infections.”
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