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Active surveillance for carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae using stool specimens submitted for testing for
David B Banach1, Jeannette Francois, Stephanie Blash
1Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, New York.
Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology
|December 17, 2013
Summary
Active surveillance for carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) carriers is key for healthcare. Testing stool for CRE, similar to Clostridium difficile, offers a low-cost detection method, warranting further study.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Healthcare Epidemiology
- Microbiology
Background:
- Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) pose a significant threat in healthcare settings.
- Active surveillance is recommended for CRE control.
- Identifying asymptomatic carriers is crucial for preventing transmission.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effectiveness of active surveillance for detecting CRE carriers.
- To assess the utility of stool specimens for CRE carrier identification.
- To explore cost-effective strategies for CRE control.
Main Methods:
- Utilized active surveillance strategies to identify asymptomatic CRE carriers.
- Employed stool specimens for testing, drawing parallels with Clostridium difficile surveillance.
- Considered risk factor-based approaches for surveillance.
Main Results:
- Active surveillance is a recommended strategy for CRE control.
- Stool specimen testing for CRE is a relatively low-cost method for carrier detection.
- Further evaluation of this and other strategies is needed.
Conclusions:
- Active surveillance using stool specimens is a viable and potentially cost-effective method for detecting CRE carriers.
- Continued research and evaluation of surveillance strategies are essential for effective CRE control in healthcare facilities.
