Infection control screen – detection of Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)

Alternative Names/Synonyms	Surveillance cultures for the identification of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) colonization
Laboratory	Microbiology
Sub-section	Bacteriology
Specimen Type	○ Nasal swab ○ Rectal swab ○ Wound/open lesion swab ○ Combined nasal/axilla/groin/perineum swab

Other Information

○ More than one site may need to be sampled to obtain optimal sensitivity

Specimen Requirements (Tube Type)

○ Swab in Amies transport medium (eSwab)

Collection Requirements

○ Moisten a sterile swab and swab site of suspected infection or colonization. Place the swab in Amies transport medium for transport
○ For nasal swabs, rotate inside/over each site to be sampled (particularly for dry skin or nares). Both nares can be sampled using a single swab rotated on the surface.
○ For rectal swabs, insert into the area of the anal sphincter.
○ For combined swabs, sample upper body prior to lower body.

Sample Stability

Refer to section Sample Processing / Delivery

Referral Laboratory

In-house

Routine Turnaround Time

○ Up to 5 days

Laboratory Contact Information

416-586-4800 extension 4540

Approval Required

Sample Processing / Delivery

○ Label specimen container. Place specimens in biohazard bag and seal.

○ Transport specimen to the UHN/SH Microbiology Laboratory at room temperature (20-25˚C). If a delay in transport of more than 2h is anticipated, keep swab at refrigeration temperature (2-8˚C).