August 2008

Peter L. Morris M.D. Medical Director

The Rapid MRSA Screen is used for the qualitative detection of nasal colonization of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) to aid in the prevention and control of MRSA in community and healthcare settings. This test is rapid (24 hours after setup), accurate (compares very well to traditional culture methods: 95.4% MRSA and 99.7% Non-MRSA¹) and is also cost effective (less than a routine culture) when screening for MRSA colonization.

Who and When should you test:

• Patients or healthcare workers previously infected with MRSA
• Patients or healthcare workers presenting with complaints of bacterial infection, particularly rashes, “bites” or abscesses.
• Pre-OP patients: test at least 2 days prior to OP surgery, skin biopsies, etc.
• Symptomatic family members of an MRSA infected individual.
• Healthcare surveillance studies.

Interpretation and Limitations: The presence of MRSA is detected by the growth and appearance of specific colored colonies after 24 hours of incubation. Note: This test is intended as a Screen Only and all other organisms will be suppressed. It is also not intended to diagnose, monitor or guide therapy for treatment.

Reference Range Negative or Positive MRSA NOT detected (Negative) or MRSA detected (Positive).

Specimen Requirements Special Requirements: FDA approved only for nose, nares, or NP specimens. Sample Type: An anterior nares swab specimen is the only sample type approved for this assay. Minimum Volume: 1 Swab submitted in Amies Gel or Amies Liquid Transport Test set up: Daily Monday through Saturday CPT Code: 87081 Culture, selective screening for pathogenic organism

Method Description A novel chromogen in this test detects a specific phosphatase enzyme activity present in all MRSA and a combination of antibacterial compounds inhibits competitive organisms. This method provides a positive predictive value of 98.1% and a negative predictive value of 99.7%¹

Clinical Reference 1. Remel Spectra™ MRSA technical bulletin, IFU 1821, March 2008

Refer your questions to the Laboratory Client Service Department at (805) 692-4610.