Welcome to the Scottish MRSA Reference Laboratory Website
Screening for glycopeptide resistance
The Scottish MRSA Reference Laboratory (SMRSAL) was established in April 1997 in response to a rapid increase in the number of MRSA infections in Scottish Hospitals. Between 1991 and 1995 about 500 MRSA infections were reported annually to the Scottish Centre for Infection and Environmental Health (SCIEH). In 1996 this rose markedly to 1500. Since the SMRSARL was established this upwards trend has continued with over 8000 reports in 2006.
The Laboratory is commissioned by Health Protection Scotland (HPS) which is part of the NHS National Services Scotland. It is based in the Microbiology Department of NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde at Stobhill Hospital. The laboratory provides a national MRSA reference service and accepts isolates from laboratories throughout Scotland. The service includes confirmation of MRSA status, antibiotic sensitivity monitoring, detection of toxin genes and epidemiological typing of strains. In addition SMRSARL provides advice on infection control issues, teaching and training of medical and technical staff and has an ongoing research and development program. SMRSARL collaborates with HPS to provide data on the national trends in MRSA epidemiology in Scotland.