Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus
Reportable by Laboratories and ProvidersAbout this Reportable Healthcare-Associated Infection (HAI)
Infectious agent: Healthcare-Associated Infections: Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)
Description of illness: Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections are caused by bacteria that are resistant to certain types of antibiotics. MRSA can cause skin or wound infections. Sometimes, MRSA can infect the blood and cause serious illness and even death. Research indicates 85% of all serious cases of the infection are associated with health care settings, while the remaining 15% of reported infections are considered community-acquired. MRSA infections are generally spread by skin-to-skin contact or by direct contact with the drainage from an infected wound. Recognizing the signs and receiving treatment for MRSA skin infections in the early stages reduces the chances of the infection becoming severe.
This disease/condition should be reported through the National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN). In addition, cases among Davidson County residents should be reported through the Emerging Infections Program.
Laboratory Reporting for this Disease
Staphylococcus aureus, MRSA
| TEST NAME | Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) |
| DISEASE/DISORDER | Bacteremia, pneumonia, surgical site infections, skin infections |
| ALTERNATE NAME(S) | S.aureus, Staph aureus, Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, MRSA |
| METHODOLOGY | Culture |
| SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS | CEDEP approval required prior to isolate submission. |
| ORDERING INFORMATION | Lab Web Portal |
Specimen Requirements
Laboratory Reporting
Reporting requirements apply to all laboratories located within Tennessee, as well as laboratories outside of Tennessee that test residents of Tennessee, including laboratories located within healthcare facilities. Healthcare providers and laboratories in the same healthcare facility both have a duty to report. The type of organisms and analytes laboratories must report to TDH for 2026 are indicated, and there are several ways laboratories can report results to TDH.
- Manually report results to TDH by faxing or mailing a completed PH-1600 form to your local health department, or faxing to the state health office at (615) 741-3857
- Automatically submit results to TDH via electronic laboratory reporting (ELR), which automates the process of sharing data with TDH using interoperability standards.
- See the ELR Onboarding Handbook for details on the onboarding process, checklist, frequently asked questions, business rules, message format, and vocabulary.
- To initiate the ELR onboarding process with TDH, register in the Trading Partner Registration (TPR) system TPR provides documentation for Promoting Interoperability (PI) attestation and milestone letters to document onboarding progress. Contact MU.Health@tn.gov for assistance.
- Submit online via NBS. NBS is TDH's reportable disease system. To request an NBS account for reporting Complete this user survey to request an NBS account for reporting.
- Blood lead levels can be sent via fax ( (615) 741-3857), entered online, or reported using the instructions at this link.
Information about this Reportable Disease for Healthcare Providers
Clinical Summary
MRSA is an infection caused by the bacterium Staphylococcus aureus that has developed resistance to many common antibiotics (including methicillin) and can affect both community and healthcare settings.Initial infections often present as skin wounds or bumps that are red, swollen, warm, painful, and possibly draining pus; however MRSA may only be confirmed by laboratory testing. If untreated or in vulnerable individuals, it can progress to more serious invasive disease such as bloodstream infection, pneumonia, or sepsis. Treatment requires antibiotics chosen based on susceptibility testing and may include drainage of skin abscesses; prevention and early care help reduce complications.
Clinical Links & Info
Healthcare Provider Reporting
Healthcare reporting requirements apply to all providers located within Tennessee, as well as providers whose patients reside in Tennessee.
Providers must report cases of all diseases and conditions listed through one of these methods:
• Mail or fax a completed PH-1600 form to your local health department or fax to the state health office at (615) 741-3857
• Send automatically via electronic case reporting (eCR). See this TDH webpage for more information on eCR, register at the Trader Partner Registration website, or contact MU.Health@tn.gov for assistance.
• Submit online via NBS. NBS is TDH's reportable disease system. To request an NBS account for reporting Complete this user survey to request an NBS account for reporting.
• Blood lead levels can be sent via fax ( (615) 741-3857), entered online, or reported using the instructions at this link.
Information about this Reportable Disease for the Public
What It Is
A bacterial infection caused by Staphylococcus aureus resistant to methicillin and related antibiotics. It spreads through skin contact or contaminated surfaces. Common in hospitals and communities. Can cause mild to severe infections.
Types
HA-MRSA – healthcare-associated; occurs in hospitals or care facilities.
CA-MRSA – community-associated; affects healthy individuals outside hospitals.
Both may involve skin, wounds, lungs, or bloodstream.
Differ mainly by setting and antibiotic resistance pattern.
Signs and Symptoms
Starts as red, swollen, painful skin bumps or boils.
May produce pus or drainage.
Fever and chills if infection spreads.
Severe cases cause pneumonia or sepsis.
Treatment
Mild infections: drainage and specific antibiotics (e.g., clindamycin, doxycycline, TMP-SMX).
Severe: IV antibiotics like vancomycin or linezolid.
Keep wounds clean and covered to prevent spread.
Early treatment prevents serious complications.
Resources
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This Page Last Updated: March 25, 2026 at 8:53 PM