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Referrals from outside of Wales

GISA/hGISA detection in Staphylococcus aureus.

The Specialist Antimicrobial Chemotherapy Unit (SACU) are able to support the determination of GISA (Homogeneous glycopeptide intermediate S. aureus) and hGISA (Heterogeneous glycopeptide intermediate S. aureus) for laboratories outside of Wales.

 

GISA / hGISA testing is performed on pure Staphylococcus aureus clinical isolates, using Glycopeptide Resistance Detection (GRD) test strips (Etest, BioMerieux).

 

For laboratories outside of Wales, this test will incur a monetary charge. Please contact SACU via SACU@wales.nhs.uk to discuss.

 

Accreditation

SACU is a UKAS accredited laboratory in accordance with International Standard ISO 15189:2022.

This test is performed to the same high standards, but is not included within the UKAS Schedule of Accreditation.

 

Isolate referral

  1. Contact SACU on SACU@Wales.nhs.uk to discuss culture referral.
  2. Please ensure the culture is pure.
  3. Isolates should be transported on either agar slopes or transport swabs via Hays DX or Royal Mail. All packaging must be UN3373 compliant. 

Each isolate must be referred alongside a completed submission form (one form per isolate). Submission forms may be found on the “Forms” section of this site.