The efficacy of the BD GeneOhm methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus 
(MRSA) assay was assessed by analyzing nasal swabs and swabs from other body 
sites for the presence of MRSA in a low-prevalence area. From 681 patients with 
a high risk for MRSA carriage, 1,601 specimens were collected and transported in 
Amies agar. After discordant analysis, the sensitivity, specificity, positive 
predictive value, and negative predictive value of the BD GeneOhm MRSA assay 
were 84.3%, 99.2%, 88.4%, and 98.9%, respectively, compared to culture.