Screening test recommendations for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus surveillance practices: A cost-minimization analysis

For ICUs that preemptively isolate all patients, the use of a polymerase chain reaction screening test is recommended because it can minimize total costs by reducing inappropriate isolation costs. For ICUs that only isolate MRSA-positive patients, the use of chromogenic agar 24-hour testing is recommended to minimize total costs.