Alberta Precision Laboratories

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Organization:

Alberta Precision Laboratories

Message Alert:

PLEASE NOTE: This Test Directory is in an interim state and due to changes pertaining to the DynaLIFE transition, performing site for routing has not been updated. Please refer to Laboratory Information System for appropriate routing.

Test Name/Synonym:

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus Screen
(Synonym: MRSA Screen Culture, MRSA admission screening, S. aureus, Nasal and Inguinal Culture)

Clinical Indications:

As per routine Infection Prevention and Control or pre-operative protocols, and as per Infectious Diseases or Medical Officer of Health requests.

Test Includes:

Screen for Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus.

LABID (Connect Care):

LAB234

Specimen Type:

Swab

Specimen Source:

Nasal and Inguinal
Draining wounds

Additional specimen types and sources are available for testing upon IPC, ID or MOH request or Microbiologist approval.

Primary Container:

ESwab MRSA Collection System CA493C02 (Nasal and Inguinal sources) – available for acute care sites and co-located outpatient clinics.

ESwab CA480CE (Draining Wounds, Nasal and Inguinal source where ESwab MRSA Collection System unavailable).

Specimen Collection Requirements:

Collection Instructions for ESwab MRSA Collection System CA493C02 (Nasal and Inguinal sources):

Open the pouch containing the ESwab MRSA collection system and remove the tube and the pink swab.
Use pink swab to collect the nasal specimen.
Uncap the tube, making sure not to spill the medium. Insert the swab into the tube. Dip and gently stir the swab for 5 seconds.
Lift the swab from the liquid medium, swirling the swab against the tube walls 5 times to release the medium from the tip of the swab while holding the tube away from one’s face. Remove the swab and recap.
Discard the pink swab.
Use the white swab to collect the inguinal specimen.
Uncap the tube, insert the swab, then break it at the colored ink breakpoint mark. Discard the broken swab shaft.
Replace the cap on the tube and secure tightly. Place an identification label no larger than 6.7 x 4.0 cm vertically on the vial, directly under (and not on top of) the cap. Barcodes, if present, should be perpendicular to the length of the tube.

Collection Instructions for ESwab CA480CE (Draining Wounds, Nasal and Inguinal sources where ESwab MRSA Collection System unavailable):

Open the pouch containing the ESwab and remove the tube and the swab.
Use swab to collect the specimen. Use one ESwab (i.e. 1 swab/1 tube) for each specimen source.
Uncap the tube, making sure not to spill the medium. Insert the swab, then break it at the colored ink breakpoint mark. Discard the broken swab shaft.
Replace the cap on the tube and secure tightly. Place an identification label no larger than 6.7 x 4.0 cm vertically on the vial, directly under (and not on top of) the cap. Barcodes, if present, should be perpendicular to the length of the tube.
Clearly identify the specimen source on the tube label.

Stability and Storage:

Room temperature

Processing:

Specimens received greater than 48 hours after collection will not be processed.

For Laboratory Staff:
Confirm that all specimens are labelled with the specimen source.

Testing Schedule:

Daily

Testing Area:

Microbiology

Performing Site:

Chinook Regional Hospital
Grande Prairie Regional Hospital
Medicine Hat Regional Hospital
Northern Lights Regional Hospital
Red Deer Regional Hospital
Calgary Diagnostic and Scientific Centre
Edmonton Base Lab

Additional Test Information:

Test will be rejected if specimen or requisition is mislabeled.

Last Updated On:

Monday, May 13, 2024