Specimen Requirements

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. Do not touch anything other than the inside of the nose with the swabs.
         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 Biohazard BAG and send to laboratory ASAP.
         f. Store inoculated swabs at room temperature if processing will be completed within 24 hours, otherwise store swabs at 2°-8° Celsius for up to 5 days.

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