A comparison of multifaceted versus Clostridium difficile-focused VRE surveillance strategies in a low-prevalence setting

K C Katz; M A Gardam; J Burt; J M Conly

doi:10.1086/501896

A comparison of multifaceted versus Clostridium difficile-focused VRE surveillance strategies in a low-prevalence setting

Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol. 2001 Apr;22(4):219-21. doi: 10.1086/501896.

Authors

K C Katz¹, M A Gardam, J Burt, J M Conly

Affiliation

¹ Department of Medicine, University Health Network, University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

PMID: 11379713
DOI: 10.1086/501896

Abstract

We compared our current screening strategy for vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus (VRE) with a focused strategy that screens all stool samples sent for Clostridium difficile toxin assay but limits rectal swab screening to wards with new VRE cases detected via C. difficile samples. The proposed strategy detects 72.7% of new VRE cases, with substantial cost savings.

MeSH terms

Clostridioides difficile / drug effects
Clostridioides difficile / isolation & purification*
Clostridium Infections / diagnosis*
Clostridium Infections / epidemiology
Enterotoxins / isolation & purification*
Feces / microbiology*
Hospitals, University
Humans
Incidence
Infection Control / methods
Ontario
Population Surveillance / methods*
Vancomycin Resistance*

Substances

Enterotoxins