Specimen:

Surveillance Swab Specimen collected from Nares

Collection Medium:

Rejection Criteria:

Specimen collected using different swab (not Copan dual swab) or from 
site other than nares (culture will be set up instead).

Testing
Schedule:

0700-2100, 7 days a week

Analytic Time:

2 hours (upon receipt in laboratory)

Comments:

Used to detect colonization with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus 
aureus (MRSA) only.  A positive result does not necessarily indicate 
viable organism.

The primers and probes in the Xpert MRSA assay detect a proprietary 
sequence for the presence of a cassette inserted into the S. aureus 
chromosome. Mutations or polymorphisms in primer or probe binding 
regions may affect detection of new or unknown MRSA variants resulting 
in a false negative result. Limit of detection observed among the 
SCCmec cassette types ranged from 10-100 CFU/swab [types I, II, III, V 
(10 CFU/swab), type IV (50 CFU/swab), subtype IVa (100 CFU/swab)]. 
Reliable results are dependent on proper specimen collection, handling, 
and storage.

Methodology:

Real-time polymerase chain reaction

Instructions:

Copan Dual Swab (#26200) is available from Hospital Stores.

With patient's head tilted back, insert both dry swabs (leave attached 
to red cap) approximately 1-2 cm into one nostril. Rotate the swabs 
against the inside of the nostril for 3 seconds. Apply slight pressure 
with a finger on the outside of the nose to ensure good contact between 
the swabs and inside of the nose. Using the same swabs, repeat for the 
other nostril. Place the swabs into the transport tube (swabs should 
stay attached to the red cap). Make sure the red cap is tightly on the 
transport tube.

Transport: Room temperature up to 24 hours, otherwise refrigerate
           (2-8 degrees C) up to 5 days.

CPT Code:

87641