News & Information

1. Community-Associated MRSA – there is rising concern about MRSA in the Community, especially MRSA that carry the PVL (and other) toxin which are associated with increased virulence and in some cases mortality. It is important to monitor these virulent strains and we would ask laboratories to refer any suspect isolates for testing.

2. SMRSARL Referral Policy Review – due to the burden placed on the Scottish MRSA Reference Laboratory by high level of MRSA referrals a review of the Referral policy is taking place (September 2006).

3. Electronic Reporting – sending of Cumulative Reports by Email is under development. Please contact the laboratory for details of how to obtain reports in this manner.

4. New Request Forms – the laboratory request forms (Routine, EARSS and Snapshot) have been updated and are available for download on the web site.

5. CHI No – The CHI No (Community Health Index number) has been included on the new request forms. If the CHI No is not known the date of birth should be included.

6. Joint EARSS/SeqNet.org Initiative – The European Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance Scheme (EARSS) has initiated a study to “Identify the dominant S. aureus strains causing invasive infections in the European region”. Spa Typing of selected blood culture isolates submitted between September 06 to February 07 and “patient” data collected by HPS will be submitted as the Scottish element of this project.

7. Director Retires - as of 1st September 2006 Prof. Gemmell retired as Director of the Scottish MRSA Reference Laboratory and Dr Giles Edwards (formerly Deputy Director) will take over as Director.

		News, Information & Service Development
MRSA Home User & Quality Manual Request Forms Quarterly Lab Reports Annual Lab Reports Annual Business Reports R & D Publications News & Information Links		1. Community-Associated MRSA – there is rising concern about MRSA in the Community, especially MRSA that carry the PVL (and other) toxin which are associated with increased virulence and in some cases mortality. It is important to monitor these virulent strains and we would ask laboratories to refer any suspect isolates for testing. 2. SMRSARL Referral Policy Review – due to the burden placed on the Scottish MRSA Reference Laboratory by high level of MRSA referrals a review of the Referral policy is taking place (September 2006). 3. Electronic Reporting – sending of Cumulative Reports by Email is under development. Please contact the laboratory for details of how to obtain reports in this manner. 4. New Request Forms – the laboratory request forms (Routine, EARSS and Snapshot) have been updated and are available for download on the web site. 5. CHI No – The CHI No (Community Health Index number) has been included on the new request forms. If the CHI No is not known the date of birth should be included. 6. Joint EARSS/SeqNet.org Initiative – The European Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance Scheme (EARSS) has initiated a study to “Identify the dominant S. aureus strains causing invasive infections in the European region”. Spa Typing of selected blood culture isolates submitted between September 06 to February 07 and “patient” data collected by HPS will be submitted as the Scottish element of this project. 7. Director Retires - as of 1st September 2006 Prof. Gemmell retired as Director of the Scottish MRSA Reference Laboratory and Dr Giles Edwards (formerly Deputy Director) will take over as Director.