title: Discontinuation of reflex testing of stool samples for vancomycin-resistant enterococci resulted in increased prevalence.
abstract: Discontinuation of reflex testing of stool submitted for Clostridium difficile testing for vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) led to an increase in the number of patients with healthcare-associated VRE bacteremia and bacteriuria (0.21 vs 0.36 cases per 1,000 patient-days; P<.01). Cost-benefit analysis showed reflex screening and isolation of VRE reduced hospital costs.
authors.affiliation: Barnes-Jewish Hospital, Infection Prevention Department, Saint Louis, Missouri, USA. mbodily@vhdenver.com
authors.forename: Mandy
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bodily
authors.forename: Kathleen M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: McMullen
authors.forename: Anthony J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Russo
authors.forename: Nupur D
authors.initials: ND
authors.lastname: Kittur
authors.forename: Joan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hoppe-Bauer
authors.forename: David K
authors.initials: DK
authors.lastname: Warren
mesh_terms: D016470:Bacteremia / Q000191:economics / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology; D001431:Bacteriological Techniques / Q000191:economics; D001437:Bacteriuria / Q000191:economics / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000191:economics / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology; D016983:Enterococcus / Q000302:isolation & purification; D005243:Feces / Q000382:microbiology*; D016908:Gram-Positive Bacterial Infections / Q000191:economics / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology; D017721:Hospital Costs / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay / Q000191:economics; D015995:Prevalence; D020713:Vancomycin Resistance