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MRSA PCR
Test CodeLab3020
Alias/See Also
MRSAPCR
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, real-time PCR
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, real-time PCR
Preferred Specimen
Anterior nares
Other Acceptable Specimens
None
Instructions
In-Patient Collection with Cepheid Collection Device (Red cap):
1. Ask the patient to tilt his/her head back. Insert dry swabs approximately 1–2 cm into each nostril.
2. 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 help assure good contact between the swab and the inside of the nose.
3. Using the same swabs, repeat for the second nostril, trying not to touch anything but the inside of the nose.
4. Remove the plastic transport tube. Twist off the tube cap and discard it. Place the swabs into the plastic transport tube. The swabs should go all the way into the tube until they rest on top of the sponge at the bottom of the tube. Make sure the red cap is on tightly.
***Note: The swabs should stay attached to the red cap at all times.
1. Ask the patient to tilt his/her head back. Insert dry swabs approximately 1–2 cm into each nostril.
2. 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 help assure good contact between the swab and the inside of the nose.
3. Using the same swabs, repeat for the second nostril, trying not to touch anything but the inside of the nose.
4. Remove the plastic transport tube. Twist off the tube cap and discard it. Place the swabs into the plastic transport tube. The swabs should go all the way into the tube until they rest on top of the sponge at the bottom of the tube. Make sure the red cap is on tightly.
***Note: The swabs should stay attached to the red cap at all times.
Outpatient Collection with MSwab collection kit:
1. Insert the dry, flocked swab provided in the kit into the patient’s nostril (swab tip should be inserted up to 1 inch from edge of nares).
1. Insert the dry, flocked swab provided in the kit into the patient’s nostril (swab tip should be inserted up to 1 inch from edge of nares).
2. Roll the swab along the mucosa inside the nostril 3 times.
3. Repeat in the second nostril with the same swab.
4. Replace the swab in the transport tube provided in the collection kit.
5. Leverage the shaft of the swab against the edge of the tube to the break at the pre-scored point.
6. Close the cap firmly ensuring the upper end of the swab is in the center of the cap.
3. Repeat in the second nostril with the same swab.
4. Replace the swab in the transport tube provided in the collection kit.
5. Leverage the shaft of the swab against the edge of the tube to the break at the pre-scored point.
6. Close the cap firmly ensuring the upper end of the swab is in the center of the cap.
Transport Container
Cepheid Collection Device (Red Cap) – inpatient
MSwab Collection Kit – outpatient
MSwab Collection Kit – outpatient
Transport Temperature
Ambient
Specimen Stability
Ambient – 7 days
Reject Criteria (Eg, hemolysis? Lipemia? Thaw/Other?)
Improper collection swab
Improper transport
Sources other than Nares
Improper transport
Sources other than Nares
Methodology
Cepheid RT-PCR (Real-time polymerase chain reaction) – inpatient
Cobas® MRSA/SA test, by RT-PCR (Real-time PCR) – outpatient
Setup Schedule
Daily for inpatients
Tuesday – Sunday, day shift for outpatients
Tuesday – Sunday, day shift for outpatients
Report Available
2 hours for inpatients
48 hours for outpatients
48 hours for outpatients
Reference Range
MRSA not detected
Clinical Significance
Direct detection of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus DNA from nasal swabs to aid in the prevention and control of MRSA infections in healthcare settings.
Performing Laboratory
Meritus Molecular Diagnostics – Microbiology
