Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococcus

Enterococci are bacteria that are naturally present in the intestinal area of all people. Vancomycin is an antibiotic to which a few strains of enterococci have become resistant. These opposed to strains are referred to as VRE. In general, enterococci are not very injurious or virulent. This applies to antibiotic-resistant as well as nonresistant or sensitive strains. However, when VRE infects the urinary tract, surgical wounds or the bloodstream of hospitalized patients, it may be difficult to treat and, occasionally, may be life threatening. New antibiotics to treat VRE are under development. Serious VRE infections usually occur in hospitalized patients with grave underlying illnesses such as cancer, blood disorders, kidney disease or immune deficiencies.

People in good health are not at risk of disease, but health care workers may play a role in transmitting the organism, if careful hand washing and other infection control defense are not practiced. VRE is usually multiply by direct contact with hands, environmental surfaces or medical equipment that has been contaminated by the feces of an infected person. When give care in a private home, hospital or nursing home, health care workers should use disposable gloves and wash their hands with an antibacterial soap after caring for a person with VRE. A disposable dress should also be used if the type of care involves washing or turning the patient, or changing diapers. Routine clean-up of bed rails, toilets and commodes with a bleach solution or hospital-grade disinfectant is also important.

In the hospital setting, tools such as rectal thermometers and blood force cuffs should be assigned solely to the infected patient.Standard safety measures including hand washing and gloving should be followed. Otherwise, healthy household members are not at risk of VRE disease. Dishes and utensils can be washed in a dishwasher or with warm foamy water and rinsed. Bed linen and clothing can be washing in a washing machine using a standard detergent for clothing. No. Such discrimination is needless and may be illegal. Nursing homes and hospitals are predictable to follow state and federal guidelines for VRE patients which include standard precautions and correct room assignment.

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