Vancomycin Intermediate Staphylococcus aureus/ Vancomycin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus

No cost for this testing.

1. Organisms: Staphylococcus aureus isolated from any body site that are vancomycin intermediate level MIC = 4-8 μg/mL* or vancomycin resistant level MIC >= 16 μg/mL.
2. Specimen type: Isolates
   Isolate should be pure, viable, and cultured onto an organism-appropriate agar medium slant.
3. Only one (1) isolate per patient will be tested.
4. Isolates should be submitted within three (3) business days of isolation per the IDOH Communicable Disease Rule 410-IAC 1-2.3-76.

1. Sample Container: appropriate agar medium slant in a tube with the screwcap tightened or other similarly-approved commercial transport medium.
2. Shipping boxes/containers with appropriate shipping labels commercially available.

1. Properly label each specimen tube with a minimum of the patient’s name, date of birth, and isolation date.
2. A minimum of two unique patient identifiers (i.e., first/last name, DOB, MRN) must be indicated on the isolate tube. Unique identifiers must match what is entered in to LimsNet.
3. Check the expiration date on the tube. Ensure the product is acceptable and will be acceptable upon receipt at the IDOH Laboratory.
4. Complete the Reference submission form for Staphylococcus aureus testing.

For case consultation, contact IDOH Epidemiology at 317-233-1306.

Ship to:

Indiana Department of Health - Laboratory
Suite B, ARLN Microbiology
550 West 16th Street
Indianapolis, IN 46202

1. Package according to Category B UN3373 triple contained in accordance with federal shipping regulations for infectious substances/diagnostic specimens.
2. Tighten the specimen container tube caps.
3. Label clearly on each specimen tube with the patient’s name, date of birth, and isolation date.
4. Wrap each labeled, container/tube with absorbent material. Place absorbent material into the inner mailing container of each primary tube and tighten the cap securely.
5. The completed submission form may then be wrapped around the sealed inner container and together placed securely into the outer shipping container.
6. Clearly label the outer container with the sender's name/address and the recipient's name/address.
7. Do not send culture isolates on petri plates if submitting by mail.
8. Transport Temperature: ambient conditions.

Reporting Method: Fax.

TAT (IDOH Testing): 3-5 business days.

Test Referral: Isolates may be forwarded to the CDC or a Reference Laboratory
for additional testing. Projected TAT listed above does not account for time required for isolate submission to the CDC.