title: [Effectiveness of "contact" precautions to prevent the spread of vancomycin resistant enterococci in a long-term care facility].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) are major nosocomial pathogens in many countries. VRE can spread rapidly, mostly by cross-transmission through hands of healthcare workers, leading to outbreaks. Moreover, VRE have the possibility to transfer vancomycin resistance genes to other Gram-positive organisms.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  We conducted a 9-month prospective study to demonstrate the effectiveness of "contact" precautions to prevent the spread of VRE in a long-term care facility.
  
  
  METHODS
  Six patients with VRE colonisation were admitted in an 80-bed long-term care facility. The following interventions were implemented to prevent the spread of VRE: gathering patients with VRE colonisation in the same unit, reinforcement of hand hygiene practices, "contact" precautions, reduction of some antibiotics and extensive screening of VRE carriers and contact patients by rectal swabs.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was no secondary case of VRE colonisation. Screening tests converted from positive to negative in four of the six patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Compliance with hand hygiene recommendations and "contact" precautions can prevent the spread of VRE in a long-term care facility.
authors: Hôpitaux universitaires, hôpital de la Robertsau, pôle de gériatrie, 67091 Strasbourg, France. catherine.jehl@chru-strasbourg.fr
authors: Catherine
authors: C
authors: Jehl
authors: Thomas
authors: T
authors: Vogel
authors: Thierry
authors: T
authors: Lavigne
authors: Antoine
authors: A
authors: Hitti
authors: Marc
authors: M
authors: Berthel
authors: Georges
authors: G
authors: Kaltenbach
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003140:Communicable Disease Control / Q000379:methods; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000635:transmission*; D016983:Enterococcus / Q000187:drug effects*; D005260:Female; D016908:Gram-Positive Bacterial Infections / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000635:transmission*; D006801:Humans; D008134:Long-Term Care; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D020713:Vancomycin Resistance