Infection Control Manual, VRE Infection Control Policy

VRE Infection Control Policy
	Introduction
	Epidemiology
	VRE Prevention & Control
	Reservoirs
	Inpatient Control Measures Identification Contact Precautions Patient Care Equipment Patient Transport Cleaning/Disinfection Antibiotic Usage
	Discharge/Transfer/Home Care
	Outpatient Control Measures
	Discontinuation of Isolation Precautions
	Surveillance/Outbreak Control
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Yale New Haven Hospital
QISS
GB 325
New Haven, CT
06504 USA

Dr. Jeff Topal
688-4634


Inpatient Control Measures

Cleaning/Disinfection
Rooms of VRE infected/colonized patients must be cleaned thoroughly and disinfected daily. Special attention should be paid to environmental surfaces: bed rails, bedside tables, doorknobs, faucet handles, bedside commodes, and horizontal work surfaces in the room. Gross soiling must be removed before the application of an EPA-approved disinfectant. For the disinfectant to be effective, the appropriate contact time must be used. A simple spray and wipe is not adequate and will lead to the persistence of VRE in the environment.

VRE patient rooms should be cleaned last. Change the water and mop head if either becomes grossly soiled or dirty. Bedside curtains should taken down and sent to be cleaned after the patient is discharged. Each patient care unit should have measures in place to monitor the cleaning procedures and practices and that they are followed.

Last modified: December 20, 2000.