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Test Code NASC Nasal Culture

Specimen Type

Nasal swab

Preferred Collection Container

E-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.

Collection Volume

1 swab

Minimum Collection Volume

1 swab

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.

Day(s) and Time(s) Performed

6:00am – 12:30am

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.

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