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Carbapenem Resistant Organisms Colonization Screening

Laboratory Fee Schedule
Procedure Number: N/A 

Synonym(s): 

Carbapenem Resistant Enterobacterales, Carbapenem Resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Carbapenem Resistant Acinetobacter baumanii, CRE, CRPA, CRAB, CRO, Colonization screening, Cepheid, PCR, CARBA-R

Requisition Form

G-2E

Test Description

Detection of carbapenem-resistant organisms from colonization screening swabs by real time PCR 

Pre-Approval Needed

  • Yes; permission to submit a specimen for screening is first required from a DSHS HAI Epidemiologist

  • Email ICAR@dshs.texas.gov to schedule a screening 

  • Specimen collection swabs and shipping supplies may be ordered by emailing TexasARLN@dshs.texas.gov

Supplemental Information Required

N/A 

Supplemental Form(s)

N/A

Performed on Specimens from (sources)

Human

Sample/Specimen Type for Testing

  • Rectal swab (Copan Cepheid Sterile Transport Dual Swab)

  • Specimens from pediatric patients are not accepted for testing.

Minimum Volume/Size Required

One swab

Storage/Preservation Prior to Shipping

  • Swabs may be shipped at ambient temperatures or refrigerated on cold packs. Shipping refrigerated on (multiple) cold packs is encouraged.

  • Swabs should be shipped within 24 hours of collection

  • Only swabs within their expiration dates should be used

Transport Medium

N/A

Specimen Labeling

  • At least two patient identifiers required on specimen (e.g., patient full name, date of birth, medical record number). 

  • Three patient identifiers are preferred. 

  • Identifiers on specimen must exactly match identifiers in submission form.

  • Additional DSHS Laboratory specimen labeling guidelines available online here. 

Shipping and Specimen Handling Requirements

  • Ship according to Dangerous Goods Regulations, IATA, and/or CFR 49.

  • Category B Biological Substance, UN3373 shipping requirements apply.

  • Submitters are responsible for packaging and shipping specimens according to regulatory requirements.

  • Additional DSHS Laboratory specimen labeling guidelines online here.  

Method

Identification of CRO by real time PCR on Cepheid GeneXpert system.

Turn-around Time

1 working day

Interferences/Limitations

  • These results should be used only for epidemiological purposes and not for patient treatment.

  • Performance of this test for specimens from pediatric patients has not been evaluated.

Common Causes for Rejection

  • Missing identifiers on specimen or submission form.

  • Mismatch between specimen and/or submission form identifiers.

  • More than five days between time of swab collection and arrival at Laboratory.

  • Specimens arrive at Laboratory at ambient or elevated temperatures. 

  • Specimen collected on expired swab. 

  • Excessively soiled swabs. Specimen collection guidance available from AR Laboratory [call/email info here] and online.

Additional Information

N/A