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Environmental contamination with vancomycin-resistant enterococci in an outpatient setting
T L Smith1, P C Iwen, S B Olson
1Department of Internal Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, USA.
Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology
|August 14, 1998
Summary
Environmental contamination with vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) is common in outpatient cancer clinics. Thorough cleaning, not superficial disinfection, is needed to prevent VRE spread in these settings.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Oncology
- Healthcare Epidemiology
Background:
- Vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) pose a significant healthcare challenge.
- Colonization with VRE is a concern in immunocompromised patients, such as those with cancer.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the extent of environmental contamination by VRE in an outpatient cancer clinic setting.
- To evaluate the effectiveness of different disinfection methods in reducing VRE contamination.
Main Methods:
- Environmental cultures were collected from clinic rooms before and after patient care.
- Eleven cancer patients colonized with VRE were prospectively followed.
- The efficacy of superficial disinfection versus thorough cleaning was assessed.
Main Results:
- Environmental contamination with VRE was detected in 29% of patient encounters.
- Superficial disinfection failed to eliminate VRE contamination.
- More intensive cleaning protocols effectively reduced environmental VRE presence.
Conclusions:
- VRE environmental contamination is a significant issue in outpatient cancer clinics.
- Standard infection control practices, including enhanced cleaning, are crucial for outpatient settings.
- Outpatient clinics may require infection control measures similar to those in inpatient facilities to mitigate VRE transmission.