Neonatal admission and transfer screen

Microbiology

Notes

Samples are routinely screened for MRSA and Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

• Suitable sampling sites for MRSA are nose and groin and any wounds, including umbilicus
• Suitable sampling sites for Pseudomonas aeruginosa are NPA/throat swab and groin swab
• Samples for Pseudomonas aeruginosa screening are normally repeated every week for patients in NICU
• Screening for other organisms of concern can be arranged after discussion with the Infection Control Team
• See also:
  • MRSA screen

Sample requirements

Dry swab for MRSA screen only - Do not use for any other samples

Standard charcoal transport swab

Place swab into transport medium

30 mL sterile Universal for NPA

Required information

• Previous colonisation status from transferring hospital

Storage/transport

Store and transport at room temperature

Turnaround time

Negative: 1 - 2 days

Positive: 2 - 4 days