Specimen Requirements

Specimen must arrive within 12 hours of collection.

1. Gently insert culture swab about 1 inch into nares. (Both right and left nare can be sampled.)
2. Rotate against nasal wall for 10 to 15 seconds and remove swab.
3. Return swab to transport tube. 
4. Label tube with patient’s name (first and last), date and actual time of collection, and type of specimen.
5. Maintain sterility and forward promptly.

Note:  1. If a source other than nares is requested for MRSA screen, order the most appropriate culture (eg, #WOUND “Culture, Wound, Anaerobic, Body Fluid”). Include a note to “screen for MRSA.”

2. Specimen source is required on request form for processing.