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Test Code LAB1747 MRSA, MSSA SKIN BY PCR WITH REFLEX TO SURFACE WOUND CULTURE

Important Note

This test is appropriate to use when testing on any body site that contains pus, ie. arm, leg or any body cavity.  If there is no pus present then the appropriate test to order is a surface wound culture.

Additional Codes

Internal: 12855

External: MRSASKIN
Beaker: LAB1747

PERFORMED AT

SBH LABORATORY

Specimen Requirements

Container Type: Culture swab (plastic shaft) with Amies or Liquid Stuart transport media
Specimen Type: (2) Aerobic culturettes
Collection Procedure: Swab skin or soft tissue with culturette.
Specimen Processing: Immediately place swab in transport tube.
Store and Transport Ambient (room temperature) or refrigerated
Required Patient Info: Specimen source
Stability: Room Temp 2 days Refrigerated 5 days Frozen (-20 øC) Unacceptable Frozen (-70 øC) Unacceptable
Unacceptable Condition: Samples that have been frozen or exposed to excessive heat. Swabs with wire shafts and transport media with charcoal have not been validated for use with this assay.

Method

Polymerase Chain Reaction

Synonyms

Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus; Staph; MSSA; Staph aureus

CPT Codes

87641, 87640

Department

mIcrobiology

Test Schedule

Daily

Turnaround Time

Test performed: Daily; Results available 2 hrs after arrival at Bend Lab

Remarks

All positive PCR results are confirmed by culture to rule out S. aureus isolates with mutations that result in false positive PCR results.