Evaluation of cost-effectiveness and rationale for use of a selective culture plate for isolation of Staphylococcus aureus from stool specimens.

An assessment was made of the necessity of performing routine screening for Staphylococcus aureus in stool specimens. A total of 527 stool specimens were evaluated. Because of the rare incidence of staphylococcal enterocolitis and the high ($2.50) screening cost, the results of this evaluation suggest that such a screening need not be performed routinely.