OVERVIEW
MDL Test Name
MRSA Screen by Culture
MDL Test Code
MRSAS
Ask at Order Questions
N/A
Specimen Source
Anterior Nares
SPECIMEN REQUIREMENTS
Container/Tube
ESwab
Specimen Volume (minimum)
N/A (swab specimen)
Must have swab present in container
Sample Stability Time
48 hours
Transport/Storage Conditions
Refrigerated (2 – 8°C)
Ambient (20 – 25°C)
Patient Preparation/Collection Instructions
Refer to the Nares ESwab Collection Guide
PERFORMANCE
Days Performed
Daily; Monday – Sunday
Report Available (TAT) – (Once received at MDL)
1 – 2 days
Specimen Retention Time
7 days
Method Description
A nasal swab is inoculated onto Spectra MRSA agar, a selective and differential chromogenic medium used in qualitative detection of nasal colonization of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA).
Reference Values
No growth of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA).
Cautions
This test is intended only for screening for MRSA colonization and is not intended to diagnose MRSA infection.