Abstract
To evaluate an isolation policy for patients colonised with vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE), we instituted active surveillance for transmission to uncolonised patients. Surveillance rectal swabs were taken and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis was performed on positive isolates. VRE transmission with an identical genotype occurred in 5 patients, giving a transmission rate of 3.7 per 1000 patient days, or 1 patient per ward each week. The present study provides a baseline for assessment of VRE transmission and will be useful in evaluation of the effectiveness of infection control interventions.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 510-512 |
| Number of pages | 3 |
| Journal | Internal Medicine Journal |
| Volume | 34 |
| Issue number | 8 |
| Publication status | Published - 2004 |