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Test Code Billings Clinic: 9316 PreSurgical, Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)/Methicillin Sensitive Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA), PCR

Performing Laboratory

Billings Clinic Laboratory:  Microbiology

Methodology

Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) using GeneXpert (Cepheid)

Specimen Requirements

  1. Collect specimen using a culture transport swab premoistened with sterile saline
  2. Gently insert swab about 1 inch into nose.
  3. Rotate against nasal mucosa.
  4. Return swab to culture transport tube.
  5. Label tube with patient’s name (first and last), date and actual time of collection, and type of specimen.
  6. Maintain sterility and forward promptly at ambient temperature only.
  7. Do not refrigerate.
  8. Specimen source is required on request form for processing.

Reference Values

Negative

Day(s) Test Set Up

Daily

Test Classification and CPT Coding

87640-Staphylococcus aureus, amplified probe technique

87641-Staphylococcus aureus, methicillin-resistant, amplified probe technique