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Characteristics of a Large Cluster of Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococci in an Australian Hospital

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2015

Elizabeth Cooper*
Affiliation:
Infectious Diseases and Infection Control Unit, Box Hill Hospital, Victoria, Australia
Amalie Paull
Affiliation:
Infectious Diseases and Infection Control Unit, Box Hill Hospital, Victoria, Australia
Mary O'Reilly
Affiliation:
Infectious Diseases and Infection Control Unit, Box Hill Hospital, Victoria, Australia
*
Infectious Diseases and Infection Control Unit, Box Hill Hospital, PO Box 94, Box Hill 3128, Victoria, Australia

Abstract

Investigation of a cluster of hospital inpatients colonized with vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) revealed a point-prevalence of 19.1%. The outbreak was controlled using established guidelines and additional strategies, including minimizing patient transfers and enforcing appropriate antibiotic prescribing. The incidence of VRE has remained low during the ensuing 30 months.

Type
Concise Communications
Copyright
Copyright © The Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America 2002

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