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)
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 pack is encouraged.
  • Swabs should be shipped within 24 hours of collection
  • Only swabs within expiration date 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.
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
  • Excessively soiled swabs. Specimen collection guidance available.
Additional Information
  • N/A