Resources

MRSA Screen by Culture

Test Code
C MRSA


Preferred Specimen
Sources: Nasal, axilla or groin
Specimen collected on eSwab, minitip eSwab,  or culture swabs.
NOTE: For surveillance studies on MRSA, several sites may be sampled on one swab, or several swabs of separate sites may be submitted as one culture study.


Instructions
To collect specimen insert swab about 1 inch into nares and rotate against mucosa and remove.


Transport Temperature
Ambient/ Room Temperature


Specimen Stability
For Swabs: Send to the Lab within 2 hours of collection. Swab will be rejected if received after 24 hours.
Eswabs are stable for up to 48 hours.
Swabs must be kept at ambient/ room temperature.
 


Reject Criteria (Eg, hemolysis? Lipemia? Thaw/Other?)
Unacceptable specimens:
Swabs other than routine culture swabs (such as from collection kits for Amplified Probe or other DNA testing) or dry swabs.




The CPT Codes provided in this document are based on AMA guidelines and are for informational purposes only. CPT coding is the sole responsibility of the billing party. Please direct any questions regarding coding to the payor being billed. Any Profile/panel component may be ordered separately. Reflex tests are performed at an additional charge.