Infection Control Manual, YNHPH VRE/MRSA Infection Control Policy

	VRE in an intact skin lesion and/or wound such that the wound or its discharge is easily contained by a simple dressing
	VRE in the sputum, but no cough
	VRE in the urine, but patient is continent
	Placement in a private room.
	VRE in a peri-rectal/rectal/stool culture, but no other identified sites or prior sites of infection/colonization have healed.

These patients will be placed on Level 1 VRE Precautions. Although the patient will NOT be placed on Contact Precautions, infection control measures will include:

	Aggressive hand hygiene for both patient and staff.
	Use of gloves and a gown if soiling is likely to occur for all wound care.
	Use dedicated patient care equipment when feasible or clean all shared patient care equipment with an approved EPA disinfectant before use on another patient.
	Placement in a private room or cohorting with another known MRSA patient is preferred; however if a private room is not available, the following criteria should be utilized in roommate selection

IF THE ROOMMATE HAS ANY OF THE FOLLOWING RISK FACTORS, HE/SHE CANNOT BE A ROOMMATE:

	Does the roommate have non-intact skin, open wounds, stasis ulcers, decubiti, burns, or indwelling devices (foley catheter, central line/PICC line, etc.)?
	Is the roommate immunosuppressed (ESRD, HIV+/AIDS, on steroids-greater than 20mg prednisone or equivalent/day, neutropenic or S/P chemotherapy, S/P allogeneic or solid organ transplant)?
	Is the roommate known to be colonized with MRSA?
	Is the roommate unable to cooperate in infection control measures?

IF THE ANSWER IS YES TO ANY OF THE ABOVE, PLACEMENT WITH A MRSA POSITIVE PATIENT IS NOT ADVISED.

The patient shall use a dedicated bathroom in addition to the room guidelines above.