MRSA Culture
| Test Name | MRSA Culture |
|---|---|
| Alternate Name(s) | Methicillin Resistant Staph aureus |
| Laboratory Module | Category MIC |
| Ordering Mnemonic |
Admissions/Point Prevelance: OE order set/MRSAV (Combo nasal/rectal see below) Refer to ELM Surveillance chart. Other single source specimen testing : MRSA Once MRSA is selected as the source. A further description can be entered using the source dictionary. For instance:
|
| Specimen Type |
Admissions/Point Prevelance: Nasal/Rectal Combo swab ( Nasal first as per collection instructions Swab of any area of the body that may be of concern. Urine- Urine culture if urine was previously colonized. |
| Collection Container | Amies Transport Media or Sterile Container |
| Container Information |
Amies Transport Media
 Sterile Container |
| Collection Information | The nurse or physician will take a swab of the area in question. The swab is then quickly transferred to the transport media.
Nasal Swab: Insert swab into nostril, until white cotton tip is inside the nose, Gently rotate the swab so that all surfaces of the mucosa are touched twice. Repeat in the other nostril, using the same swab. Place swab into transport media tube and label with the lab-generated label containing patient information and marked nasal. Rectal Swab: Swab around the rectal area, Insert the swab into rectum enough to fecally stain the swab, Place swab into transport media tube and label with the lab-generated label containing patient information and marked rectal. Nasal/Rectal Combo swab for Admissions/Point Prevelance: Insert into nostril, until white cotton tip is inside the nose, Gently rotate the swab so that all surfaces of the mucosa are touched twice. Repeat in the other nostril, using the same swab. Proceed with swabbing around the rectal area, Insert the swab into rectum enough to fecally stain the swab, Place swab into transport media tube and label with the lab-generated label containing patient information and marked nasal/rectal. Urine is collected into a sterile container. The labeled specimen is then sent to the laboratory. |
| Test Schedule |
Daily |
| Routine Turnaround Time | Preliminary: 24 hours Final: 48 hours |
| Stat Turnaround Time | Preliminary: 24 hours Final: 48 hours |
| Reference Interval | (Information Unavailable) |
| Critical Values | As growth is detected and identified the information is made available to the health care provider. |
| Lab Process Notes | If MRSA is detected notify as per DOCS # 10155 Microbiology Critical and Urgent Result Communication. |
| Storage and Transport | The swab should be maintained at room temperature until transport to the lab. Once in the lab the specimen will be stored at room temperature in the microbiology rack.
Urine should be transported to laboratory as soon as possible where it is to be stored in the refrigerator. |
| Test Referred To | On site, BGH laboratory |