MRSA Screen
(Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus)
• One nasal swab (same swab used to swab both anterior nares) and one perineal swab and one or two additional sites (if relevant) from any of the following for screening purposes:
• Clinical specimens such as wounds, catheter urine, respiratory or any other as clinically indicated
• Neonates - One swab from umbilicus
PROCEDURES FOR TAKING SPECIMENS
• Purple microbiology swabs are used.
• Moisten the swab in saline or sterile transport medium to increase the uptake of organisms
• Rub the swab over the indicated area several times
• Send the specimens to Microbiology with the request form correctly completed. MRSA results will generally be available in two to three days
Waikato Hospital Laboratory - Swab Guide
