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MRSA Screen - Provincial

Discipline

Microbiology

Overview

Description

  • Admission screening of MRSA colonization in proven to be a successful strategy for identifying patients colonized by MRSA and isolating them in an attempt to minimize spread in the health care facilities 
Ordering Recommendations
  • Admission screening for patients with a high likelihood of being  colonized with MRSA including:
  • Patient unable to provide history/no history available
  • Patient previously positive for MRSA 
  • Patient with MRSA + close contact 

Specimen Information

Specimen types accepted

  • Nares swab
  • Groin swab

Specimen collection container

  • Use liquid-based E-swab collection system (preferred) or M-40 Transystem swabs.

Collection procedure

  • Nares: insert into nostril 2-3 cm and roll swab 5 times. Insert same swab into second nostril and repeat.
  • Groin: roll swab from top to bottom of inguinal area 5 times. Repeat using same swab on opposite side.

Transport and stability

Transport at room temperature, as soon as possible. If delay anticipated, keep specimen at 4°C.

  • Room temperature stability 48h
  • 4°C stability 4 days

Performance

Methodology

RGH/Pasqua

  • Real Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) testing performed routinely. Newly identified colonization is confirmed with culture. 
Saskatoon

  • Colonization is determined by culture using chromogenic MRSA agar with MALDI-TOF MS and susceptibility confirmation

Days/times performed

Availability
  • Test performed 7 days per week at RUH and RGH

Maximum laboratory time

 
Result reporting
  • Turnaround time 24 hours. 
  • Newly identified colonization confirmation available at 72 hours.
    • Inpatient wards and Infection Control notified immediately of new positive results. New positive cases are reported to Public Health

Last Updated: April 17, 2024