Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)/Methicillin-Susceptible Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA) Culture, Nares

Synonyms

• COLONIZATION
• CULTURE - NOSE
• LAB234
• MRSA CULTURE
• MRSA SCREEN

Cerner Name

Nose Culture

Clinical Info

For
MRSA/MSSA only.
Note:
PCR is more sensitive for identifying MRSA/MSSA carriage.

Specimen Sources

Nares

Specimen Types

Swab

Container

Anterior nares swab-Eswab

Collection Instructions

1. Collect specimen (Anterior nares swab) using a
culture transport swab.
2. Gently insert swab 2 cm into nasal nares.
3. Rotate swab slowly for 5 seconds to absorb
secretions and remove.
4. Return swab to sterile culture transport
tube to ensure specimen preservation.
5. Label tube with patient’s name (first and
last), date and actual time of collection, and type of specimen.  

Specimen Volume

Transport Instructions

Maintain sterility and forward
promptly at ambient temperature.

Specimen Stability

Up to 48 hours at room temperature.

Methodology

Microbiology Culture, Includes
anaerobes

Days Performed

7 days/week

Performing Laboratory

Northwell Health Laboratories

CPT

87070

PDM

6201322

Only Orderable at Locations:

Orderable Everywhere

Results

Result Interpretation

Forms