• Culture
• Identification, susceptibilities and serogrouping will be performed on all microbiology isolates considered by the laboratory to be significant.

ESwab standard tip collection kit (white)

Nose specimen {Only one swab for right and left nares}

1. Insert culture swab into nostrils and extend the swab at least 1 cm into the nares.
2. Firmly sample the membrane by rotating the swab and leaving it in place for 10-15 seconds.
3. Withdraw the swab and insert into culture transport tube.

Combined sources may be submitted together in one culture swab tube and ordered as one culture.

A double bacterial culture swab is also acceptable.

ESwab standard tip collection kit (white)

Other bacterial culture swab with Amies or Stuarts liquid transport media

Other bacterial culture swab with Amies or Stuarts liquid transport media

• Identify source

ESwab:

Refrigerated - 48 hours

Ambient - 48 hours

Other swabs:

Ambient - 24 hours

• Improper label (unlabeled or mislabeled)
• Time delay between time of collection and receipt of specimen
• Improper transport container
• Improper transport temperature
• Inappropriate specimen type
• Leaking container

Culture

Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) strains are a problem in hospitals due to their nosocomial transmission and their resistance to multiple antibiotics. Patients with MRSA have increased morbidity and mortality and are at increased risk for surgical site infections. To prevent transmission of infectious agents, health care institutions have instituted Standard Precautions, including the use of gloves, gowns, mask, and eye protection and safe injection practices. In addition, contact precautions, such as placing the patient in a single-patient room and special room cleaning, are instituted for MRSA and other agents that are transmitted by direct or indirect contact with the patient or the patient's environment. Identifying patients who are colonized with MRSA by culturing the anterior nares or other sites may help prevent the spread of this organism.