Abstract
This nation-wide survey on the epidemiology of vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) included 142 healthcare institutions and showed an increasing number of VRE colonizations and infections in Switzerland, probably for the most part due to nosocomial dissemination. The introduction and spread of a new clone, gaps in VRE screening policies as well as heterogeneity regarding the management of VRE clusters may be possible explanations.
Highlights
Vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) are multi-drug resistant organisms (MDROs) that can cause healthcareassociated infections and increase both length of stay and in-hospital mortality [1, 2]
In recent years nosocomial VRE outbreaks have been reported from several hospitals in Switzerland [5,6,7], revealing that VRE is of concern to our healthcare system
VRE epidemiology From 1st January 2015 to 31st March 2018, VRE cases were observed in one third of hospitals (46/142, 32%)
Summary
Vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) are multi-drug resistant organisms (MDROs) that can cause healthcareassociated infections and increase both length of stay and in-hospital mortality [1, 2]. In Europe, several countries reported an increasing proportion of vancomycin resistance among invasive isolates of Enterococcus faecium [4]. In Switzerland, VRE incidence is currently not being monitored for infection control purposes at a national level. In recent years nosocomial VRE outbreaks have been reported from several hospitals in Switzerland [5,6,7], revealing that VRE is of concern to our healthcare system. An update addressing all Swiss acute-care hospitals was deemed necessary to evaluate the current VRE epidemiology and identify possible gaps in the outbreak management strategies
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