Hostname: page-component-cd9895bd7-8ctnn Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-12-23T06:13:44.781Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Characteristics of a Large Cluster of Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococci in an Australian Hospital

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2015

Elizabeth Cooper*
Affiliation:
Infectious Diseases and Infection Control Unit, Box Hill Hospital, Victoria, Australia
Amalie Paull
Affiliation:
Infectious Diseases and Infection Control Unit, Box Hill Hospital, Victoria, Australia
Mary O'Reilly
Affiliation:
Infectious Diseases and Infection Control Unit, Box Hill Hospital, Victoria, Australia
*
Infectious Diseases and Infection Control Unit, Box Hill Hospital, PO Box 94, Box Hill 3128, Victoria, Australia

Abstract

Investigation of a cluster of hospital inpatients colonized with vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) revealed a point-prevalence of 19.1%. The outbreak was controlled using established guidelines and additional strategies, including minimizing patient transfers and enforcing appropriate antibiotic prescribing. The incidence of VRE has remained low during the ensuing 30 months.

Type
Concise Communications
Copyright
Copyright © The Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America 2002

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

1.Bell, J, Turnidge, J, Coombs, G, O'Brien, F. Emergence and epidemiology of vancomycin-resistant enterococci in Australia. Commun Dis Intell 1998;22:249252.Google Scholar
2.Tenover, F, Arbeit, R, Goering, R, et al. Interpreting chromosomal DNA restriction patterns produced by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis: criteria for bacterial strain typing. J Clin Microbiol 1995;33:22332239.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
3.McKinnon, R, Harvey, K. Containing vancomycin-resistant enterococci: strategies for Victoria. Victorian Drug Usage Advisory Committee. Conference report December 4, 1998.Google Scholar
4.Jenney, A, O'Reilly, M, Meagher, D, Corallo, C. Interventions of an antibiotic management team. Aust J Hosp Pkarm 1999;29:3639.Google Scholar
5.Witte, W, Kiare, I. Glycopeptide-resistant Enterococcus faecium outside hospitals: a commentary. Microb Drug Resist 1995;1:259263.Google Scholar
6.Heath, C, Blackmore, T, Gordon, D. Emerging resistance in Enterococcus spp. Med J Aust 1996;164:116120.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
7.Boyce, J, Opal, S, Chow, J, et al. Outbreak of multi-drug resistant Enterococcus faecium with transferable vanB class vancomycin resistance. J Clin Microbiol 1994;32:11481153.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
8.Goldmann, D, Weinstein, R, Wenzel, R, et al. Strategies to prevent and control the emergence and spread of antimicrobial-resistant microorganisms in hospitals. JAMA 1996;275:234240.Google Scholar
9.Ieven, M, Vercauteren, E, Descheemaeker, P, Van Lauer, F, Goosens, H. Comparison of direct plating and broth enrichment culture for the detection of intestinal colonization by glycopeptide-resistant enterococci among hospitalised patients. J Clin Microbiol 1999;37:14361440.Google Scholar