Strict control of vancomycin resistant enterococci is not justified

Measures to control vancomycin resistant enterococci may not be justified, as the organisms have low virulence but infection is difficult to treat. Infection is endemic in US hospitals but rare in European hospitals. Ridwan and colleagues (p 666) discuss how an outbreak in a Dutch hospital was halted by strict control measures which were expensive and occasionally stopped new admissions and surgery. The authors recommend following European guidelines.

(Credit: D KUNKEL AND M SCHOUTEN)

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Relevant Article

What action should be taken to prevent spread of vancomycin resistant enterococci in European hospitals?

Ben Ridwan, Ellen Mascini, Netty van der Reijden, Jan Verhoef, and Marc Bonten
BMJ 2002 324: 666-668. [Extract] [Full Text] [PDF]