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Test Code LAB3948, LAB234 Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) Screen

Important Note

Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) IP (LAB234) should be ordered for surveillance cultures for Infection Prevention purposes.

Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) ONLY (LAB3948) should be ordered for standard of care.

Performing Laboratory

Barnes-Jewish Hospital Laboratory

Specimen Requirements

Acceptable Specimens:

1 ESwab per test request in a sterile transport tube

Note: Nasal specimen is the only acceptable specimen type.

 

Unacceptable Specimens:
Specimen collected with ESwab Collection Kit is unacceptable if received without fluid or swab in the transport tube.

 

Labeling requirements:

Specimen source is required.

Inidicate "Look for MRSA" on test order or requisition.

 

Collection Procedure:

1. Collect specimen using an ESwab Collection Kit.
2. Gently insert ESwab into nasal passage.
3. Rotate against anterior nasal wall and remove ESwab.
4. Return ESwab into transport tube following instructions on kit..
5. Maintain sterility and forward promptly at ambient temperature only.
 

Day(s) Test Set Up

Monday through Sunday

 

Turnaround time:

STAT: Not available

Routine: final negative report at 3 days

Test Classification and CPT Coding

87081

Reference Values

Not applicable

Specimen Transport Temperature

Ambient

Refrigerate NO / Frozen NO

Additional Information

For BJH Laboratory Use Only
Minimum Volume: 1 ESwab per test request in a sterile transport tube.

Sample stability: Swab - 48 hours

 

Laboratory Processing Instructions:
Test performed in BJH Microbiology.