Bacteria that are resistant to antibiotics, e. g. MRSA (Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus, VRE (Vancomycin resistant enterococci), and Gram negative bacteria with ESBL and other resistant mechanisms, are still relatively rare in Norway.

The Norwegian Institute of Public Health has issued guidelines/recommendations to prevent spread of these organisms in hospitals and other health care institutions. One measure is screening of patients at risk of colonization/infection before or upon admission to Norwegian health care institutions.

This is a duty for each patient by the Communicable Diseases Control Act.

Recommendations for patients with planned contacts (e.g. dialysis) or admissions to HUS (screening should be performed not more than 2-3 weeks before 1st contact)

MRSA
MRSA screening for patients who	Sample locations
previously have been MRSA-positive during the past 12 months have been hospitalised or received comprehensive examination or treatment (e.g. dialysis) outside the Nordic countries during the past 12 months been in close contact (household) with MRSA positive individuals during the last 12 month has been working in health care services outside the Nordic countries	Both nostrils (same swab) Throat (both tonsil regions + posterior pharyngeal wall - same swab) Perineum (the area just anterior to the anal orifice) Any skin lesion, wound, scar from infection, eczema or other active skin condition Insertion site of catheters, drains, tracheostoma etc. Urinary sample if permanent urinary catheter

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Antibiotic resistant bacteria other than MRSA
Screening for patients transmitted directly from hospitals or receiving comprehensive treatment (e.g. dialysis) outside the Nordic countries	Sample locations
VRE (Vancomycin resistant enterococci) Enterobacteriacae with ESBLcarba Acinetobacter resistant to carbapenems	Rectal swab Urine only if urinary catheter Any drain or artificial body orifice (stoma)