Test Code MRSASA Culture, MRSA and SA only
Specimen Requirements
Note:
S. aureus/MRSA nasal cultures are only used to detect carrier states for prevention and control of MRSA infections.
1. Insert sterile swab into each nares.
2. Rotate swab against nasal mucosa or lesion.
3. Label swab tube (not packaging) with patient’s
information, date and actual time of collection, and type of
specimen.
4. Maintain sterility and forward promptly.
Specimen Stability Information
Maximum storage of specimen is 24 hours refrigerated.
Reference Values
No Staphylococcus aureus or MRSA recovered.
Day(s) Test Set Up
Monday through Sunday
Performing Laboratory
Huntsville Hospital Laboratory
Test Classification and CPT Coding
87070 - culture
87077 - identification, aerobic
87181 - per antibiotic (if appropriate)
87184 - per plate-disk method (if appropriate)
87185 - beta-lactamase (if appropriate)
87186 - per panel-microdilution (if appropriate)