Culture, Nasal Mnemonic C NAS Synonym Nasal Culture Includes Includes looking for MRSA and MSSA among other pathogens. Susceptibility if applicable. Guidelines For specimens inside the nose. For specimens outside the nose, order Culture, Skin Superficial. Use separate order for sinus or nasal wash. Pertussis, Chlamydia, Mycoplasma, AFB, Fungus or Virology can also be ordered separately. Order separate Culture, Methicillin Resistant STAPH or MRSA PCR Nasal Screen if ONLY looking for MRSA carriage. Specimen Collection Requirements Patient Preparation Immobilize and tilt patient’s head at a 70 degree angle Collect Use a culture collection and transport swab, either regular size or minitip. Insert swab into nose, stay near septum and floor of nose, rotate swab several times and remove. Use minitip swab only for nasopharynx cultures. View Swab Collection Guide Handling Wire minitip swabs may be bent to fit the curvature of the nose. Specify if screening for a specific organism; e.g. Neisseria meningitides, Staphylococcus aureus. Minimum Volume 1 swab Transport Room temperature Rejection Criteria Frozen or dry specimen, leaking or nonsterile containers Stability Ambient: 24 hours; Refrigerated: 24 hours Testing Information Performed 7 days/week Reported Preliminary Negative: 1 day; Final Negative: 2-3 days Method Standard Aerobic Bacterial Culture Reference Values Reference Values Normal upper respiratory or skin flora Comments Additional charges as needed for identification and to differentiate normal flora from pathogens (CPT 87077). Susceptibility tests are performed as appropriate (CPT 87186, 87184, 87181, 87147). CPT Codes 87070, (87077, 87186, 87184, 87181, 87147 as needed) Last Updated: Wednesday, December 16, 2020 02:18:22 AM Client Services: 503-413-1234