Using the Service
Referral Policy
Samples referred will be accepted from laboratories throughout Scotland. Advice and information will be provided to clinicians and agencies Scotland-wide.
As a minimum, every laboratory should send specimens to the Reference Laboratory where confirmation that an isolate is an MRSA is necessary.
At the discretion of the sending laboratory, the following should be sent to the Reference Laboratory:
- All outbreak/cross-infection isolates (MRSA, MSSA and CNS)
- All blood cultures (MRSA and MSSA) as part of the EARSS surveillance programme
- Isolates with unusual characteristics or those whose characteristics have changed
- CNS requiring identification to the species level
All new MRSA isolates identified within a mutually agreed period (between 1 and 4 weeks) each year should also be submitted (Snapshot programme). The Reference Laboratory will be expected to work closely with SCIEH to obtain maximum value from this national surveillance and to report back the results of this programme to the commissioner in the Annual Report.
Specimens
Isolates should be sent as pure cultures on agar slopes (preferably in bijoux bottles) or on swabs in transport medium.
Request forms
Fill out the details on the request forms as completely as possible. Request forms are available from SMRSARL directly or through the links below. Forms can be photocopied.
Sending specimens
All submissions should be sent by first class mail or by DX and must comply with the carrier's regulations.
|
By Royal Mail: Scottish MRSA Reference Laboratory Microbiology Department Stobhill Hospital Balornock Road Glasgow G21 3UW Tel: 0141 201 3015 (Director) Tel: 0141 201 3475 (Laboratory Manager) Fax: 0141 558 5508 |
By DX: Scottish MRSA Reference Laboratory Stobhill Hospital DX 6490200 Bishopbriggs 90G |
Normal Laboratory Hours
Under exceptional circumstances, tests will be performed outside the normal laboratory hours.
Urgent specimens
A "fast track" system is available for urgent specimens. Please telephone to request fast tracking of specimen and to notify when the specimen will arrive.
Turnaround Times
| Strain Typing1 | 7-8 working days2 |
| PCR confirmation of MRSA status | 5 working days |
| Fast Track | 1-3 working days3 |
Notes:
- Includes phenotypic confirmation of MRSA status and genotypic typing.
- Time from receipt of pure culture until report has been posted. Working days do not include weekends. Time refers to 95% of referrals.
- Urgent specimens will be "fast tracked". From receipt of pure culture, PCR confirmation of MRSA status can be performed in 1 day and PFGE typing in 3 days.