Nursing care for patients infected or colonized with vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE)

Folia Med Cracov. 2016;56(4):13-20.

Abstract

Advances in medicine enable many patients to regain their health. But, at the same time, they become susceptible to hospital-acquired infections. The occurrence of vancomycin-resistant enterococci is a considerable problem in the modern health system. In order to limit the risk of VRE infection, proper patient care is vital, which is focused on compliance with relevant procedures (isolation, decontamination, education). Mutual cooperation between charge nurses and the ward sister and epidemiological nurse plays a major role in nursing surveillance of patients with VRE.

Keywords: charge nurse; epidemiological nurse; hospital epidemic outbreaks; isolation; surveillance; vancomycin-resistant enterococci; ward sister.

MeSH terms

  • Carrier State / microbiology
  • Carrier State / nursing*
  • Epidemiological Monitoring
  • Gram-Positive Bacterial Infections / microbiology
  • Gram-Positive Bacterial Infections / nursing*
  • Hospitalization
  • Humans
  • Infection Control / methods*
  • Nurse's Role*
  • Patient Isolation
  • Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococci*