Special Precautions/Comments:

Interferences:  Antibiotics may affect growth of certain bacteria.

Method:  Culture on COLOREX MRSA media. Calibration: N/A – qualitative testing for presence or absence of the target organism(s). EQA scheme: NEQAS. IQC: Media batch accepted using culture collections MRSA NCTC 10442.

Interpretation: Results are reported as MRSA isolated (positive) or MRSA not isolated (negative).  All positive screening swabs will be reviewed by Medic and also Infection control. New instances of MRSA infection will receive further sensitivity testing.

Additional Information:

Background information:  Hospital acquired infections pose a major threat to patients admitted to hospitals in the UK.

A policy of planned screening for MRSA is important to guide infection control measures to protect patients from colonisation and infection. Patients are typically screened on admission to high risk areas, on transfer out to other wards and/or hospitals and on discharge.