Methicillin-Resistant Staph. aureus (MRSA), Screen

CPT Code(s):
87081

Turnaround Time:
48 - 72 hours

Specimen Requirements

Preferred Specimen:
Swab

Minimum Volume:
0.5 mL (or 1 swab)

Transport Container:
BBL CultureSwab or ESwab

Transport Temperature:
Room Temperature

Collection Instructions:
Disinfect contiguous areas of skin or mucous membrane containing resident normal flora prior to culture collection. Collect exudates from the interior of productive lesions. Tissue samples must be kept moist. A thin, air - dried smear for Gram stain obtained from the same site as the culture is strongly recommended

Rejection Criteria:
Improper labeling; specimen received in expired transport media; specimen received after prolonged delay (usually more than 48 hours)

Stability Criteria

Room Temperature:
24 hours

Refrigerated:
7 days

Frozen:
Unacceptable

Clinical Significance

The MRSA (Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus) Screen test holds specific clinical significance and diagnostic use in identifying the presence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus bacteria in a patient. MRSA is a strain of Staphylococcus aureus that is resistant to the commonly used antibiotic methicillin and other beta-lactam antibiotics.

The specific clinical significance and diagnostic use of MRSA Screen include:

1. Infection Control: MRSA Screen is crucial for infection control measures in healthcare settings. It helps identify patients who are carriers of MRSA, allowing healthcare providers to implement appropriate precautions to prevent the spread of the bacteria to other patients, healthcare workers, and visitors. Timely identification of MRSA carriers facilitates targeted interventions and reduces the risk of healthcare-associated infections.

2. Preoperative Screening: MRSA Screen is commonly used as part of preoperative screening protocols. Patients scheduled for surgery may undergo MRSA screening to identify any colonization with MRSA. This information helps guide the appropriate use of prophylactic antibiotics and enables the implementation of additional infection control measures, if necessary, to minimize the risk of surgical site infections.

3. Outbreak Investigation: MRSA Screen plays a vital role in investigating and controlling MRSA outbreaks. When multiple cases of MRSA infection occur within a healthcare facility or community, MRSA Screen can identify carriers and help determine the extent of the outbreak. This information assists in implementing targeted interventions to prevent further transmission and contain the outbreak.

4. Community Surveillance: MRSA can also be acquired outside of healthcare settings, known as community-acquired MRSA. MRSA Screen helps identify MRSA carriers in the community, facilitating appropriate treatment and infection control measures to limit the spread of the bacteria within the community.

It's important to note that MRSA Screen typically involves obtaining swabs from various sites, such as the nose, throat, or skin, and culturing the samples to detect the presence of MRSA. Molecular-based methods, such as polymerase chain reaction (PCR), may also be employed for rapid MRSA screening.

In summary, MRSA Screen plays a vital role in infection control, preoperative screening, outbreak investigations, and community surveillance. Timely identification of MRSA carriers through this enables healthcare providers to implement appropriate measures to prevent transmission, reduce healthcare-associated infections, and improve patient outcomes. Collaborative efforts between laboratory professionals, infection control teams, healthcare providers, and public health authorities are crucial for the effective use of MRSA Screen and the implementation of appropriate infection control practices.