Specimen Required

See Nasal Swab Collection for Staph aureus/MRSA Screening or Xpert MRSA Specimen Collection Protocol.

Collect specimen using Culturette II Swabs.

• Nasal Swab Collection for Staph aureus/MRSA Screening
• Xpert MRSA Specimen Collection Protocol
• BBL Culturette II Swab Red Cap 

Nasal swabs (anterior nares) only. Sites other than nasal should be ordered as WOUND, RESP, etc., and have R/O MRSA on requisition.

ONLY Red-capped BBL Liquid Stuart dual swab culturettes are acceptable for this test.

Using proper hand hygiene and PPE per standard precautions, collect the specimen aseptically as follows:   

     1. Follow patient identification and specimen labeling protocols.

     2. Obtain specimen by swabbing both anterior nares (front nasal cavities) with dual swabs     

            provided in the “culturette” tube.

         a. Insert both dry swabs approximately 1-2 cm into each nostril.

         b. Rotate the swabs against the inside of the nostril for 3 seconds. Apply slight pressure with  

             gloved finger on the outside of the nose to assure good contact between the swab and the

             inside of the nostril.

         c. Using the same swabs, repeat for the second nostril 

         d. Place the swabs into the plastic transport tube. The swabs should go all the way into the

             tube until they rest on top of the sponge at the bottom of the tube.

             Make sure the red cap is on tightly.

         e. Place culturette and order in RED STAT BAG and send to laboratory ASAP.

 Note: the swabs should stay attached to the red cap at all times.