No Charge MRSA Surveillance NICU

Specimen source is required on request form for processing:

 

Specimen Requirements:     

 Preferred Source:  Nasal

 Preferred Collection/Container:  Red top double swab culturette

 Alternative Acceptable Source:  Nares

Acceptable Collection:
BD Liquid Amies Elution Swab (E-Swab); Copan Liquid Amies Elution Swab (ESwab); Cepheid nasal sample collection device (dual swab in liquid Stuart media); or Copan swab and transport systems (LQ Stuart or LQ Amies) (scored swabs only)

Collection Process:
Collection Instructions:
 
1. Ask the patient to blow their nose prior to collection.
 
2. Use both swabs for both right and left nares.
Note: to avoid specimen contamination, do not touch swab tips to anything other than the inside of the nostril. 
 
3. Insert the dry swabs 1-1.5 cm into the nostril.  Swabs MUST stay attached to red cap.  Do NOT insert swabs more than 1-1.5 cm.
 
4. Rotate the swab for 3 seconds against the nasal mucosa. Apply slight pressure on the outside of the nose with your finger to ensure good contact.
 
5. Repeat the process on the other nostril with the same swabs.  
 
6. Remove and discard the cap on the transport tube then Insert the swabs back into the transport tube. The swabs should go all the way into the transport container. Tightly cap the container.
 
7. Label the transport container with patient label or with patient’s name (first and last), Social Security number or date of birth (inpatients:  medical record number), date and time of collection, collector’s initials, and type of specimen. 
 
8. Maintain sterility and forward promptly at ambient temperature only.  Do not refrigerate.

Rejection Criteria:

 Unacceptable Source:  Source other than Nares, Nasal

 Unacceptable collection:  Incorrect swab collection device, improperly labeled, unlabeled

 Note: If MRSA surveillance of NICU patients requires additional body site locations such as Axilla, Umbilicus, or Groin, please order the NICU MRSA Culture order.  The MRSA PCR Methodology is only validated on Nares or Nasal sources.