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Contact Precautions
Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococcus (VRE) requires Standard Precautions and Contact Precautions.
Contact Precautions:
- Private Room
- Don and remove gown and gloves upon entering and exiting patient's room.
- Wash hands after removal of gown/gloves.
- Dedicate non-critical patient care equipment.
Cohorting:
Patients with VRE colonization/infection may be cohorted together provided there are no other epidemiologically significant organisms present (e.g., MRSA, influenza, etc.).
Duration of Precautions:
Contact Precautions can be discontinued if:
| 1) | Two sequential perirectal swabs obtained a minimum of 24 hours apart are negative. |
| 2) | Two sequential cultures from the site of infection/colonization (if applicable) obtained 24 hours apart are negative. The cultures must be labelled "R/O VRE" if obtained from a body site that is usually not sterile (e.g. wound, decubitius, etc.). |
| 3) | Preferably, the patient should be off all antibiotics for a minimum of 48 hours assuming normal renal function (If the patient has impaired renal function or is on dialysis, then the appropriate interval of time for clearance of all antibiotics should have elapsed before culturing the patient). |
Note: VRE colonization is usually prolonged (weeks to years), especially in ESRD, HIV, transplant, and oncology patients. Additionally, patients can flip/flop during an inpatient admission; therefore, attempting to remove a patient from Contact Precautions for VRE is usually not a successful endeavor.
For additional information, see:
YNHH VRE Infection Control Policy
Last modified: February 24, 2003.
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