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Test Code NASC Nasal Culture

Specimen Type

Nasal swab

Preferred Collection Container

E-SWAB

Collection Volume

1 swab

Minimum Collection Volume

1 swab

Collection Instructions

Specimens must be labeled with patient name, patient identification number, body site, date and time of collection and initials of person collecting specimen.

Rejection Criteria

Specimen not received in appropriate sterile container; Incomplete requisition; Unlabelled specimen.

Specimen Storage and Stability

Room Temperature.

Specimen must be delivered within 24 hours of collection to the North Campus Laboratory.

Turn Around Time

Cultures with no growth will be reported at 2 days. Reports on specimens from which pathogens are isolated will take a minimum of 2 days for completion.

Lab Department

Microbiology

Alias

Nasal Culture; Bacterial Culture of Nasal Specimen; MRSA Surveillance Culture;

EPIC Code

LAB234

Acceptable Collection Container

Eswab—white or Blue (Mini-tip) Cap

Additional Information

Nasal cultures are often used as part of infection control to detect the carriage of oxacillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. Nasal cultures should not be used to diagnose a bacterial cause of lower respiratory disease, otitis media, or sinusitis.

Day(s) and Time(s) Performed

6:00am – 12:30am