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HelpTest Code MRSA MRSA Screen Culture
Infectious
Specimen and Container/Tube
Specimen Type: Nasal, skin, mouth, axilla, groin
Preferred Specimen: Transport swab
Specimen Stability
|
Storage Temperature |
Stability |
|
Room temperature (20 - 25°C) |
24 hours |
|
Refrigerated (2 - 10°C) |
24 hours |
|
Frozen (-20°C) |
not acceptable |
Collection Instructions
Specimen Collection: Moisten swab with saline and insert about 1 inch (2.5 cm) into nose. Gently rotate against nasal mucosa.
Specimen Transport: Immediate
Specimen Handling and Transport Instructions
UCMC Onsite Instructions: Collect specimen per standard collection procedure and send to laboratory immediately.
UCMC Offsite and UC MedLab Outreach Instructions: Collect specimen per standard collection procedure and send to laboratory immediately.
Rejection Criteria
- Common specimen rejected situations include: incorrect specimen type, insufficient volume, incorrect collection container, missing or incomplete specimen identifiers, incorrect specimen transport, or specimens outside stability limits.
Reference Values
|
Test |
Age |
Sex |
Reference Range |
| Methicillin Resistant S. aureus |
All |
All |
No Methicillin Resistant S. aureus isolated |
Turnaround Time
Turnaround times are relative to the time the specimen is received in the test laboratory.
STAT Turnaround Time: not available
Routine Turnaround Time: up to 28 hours
Testing Schedule: Monday - Sunday
Clinical Indications
- Aid in the detection of Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) carriage.
Methodology
Selective and differential chromogenic culture media
CPT Codes
87081
LOINC Codes
30087081
Synonyms/Keyword Search
CX, BACTERIAL CULTURE, SCREEN, CHROMOGENIC, SPECTRA
Last Review Date
04/13/2026