Successful Control of Nosocomial VRE Outbreak: Experiences of Hospital Infection Control Committee

Aim: The aim of this study is to describe the methods used to control the first monoclonal vancomycin resistant enterococcus (VRE) outbreak which emerged in September 2005 in a university hospital in Turkey. Material and Methods: Following detection of the first VRE positive case, surveillance with stool or rectal swab cultures from all the hospital inpatients was performed. Patients were categorized according to their potential risk of exposure to VRE; VRE positive cases, primary contacts and secondary contacts. Isolation and cohortion of the patients were performed according to this categorization. Hospital wide information and training programs were conducted for healthcare workers (HCW) and strict contact isolation precautions were implemented in the hospital. Results: Apart from the index case, three additional cases were detected. The recommendations of the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) were adopted and implemented in our hospital and the outbreak was controlled within one month. Conclusion: Categorization of patients according to their possible risk of exposure to VRE may be useful in determining the form and extent of control measures, especially in the hospitals with limited resources.