Discontinuation of reflex testing of stool samples for vancomycin-resistant enterococci resulted in increased prevalence

Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol. 2013 Aug;34(8):838-40. doi: 10.1086/671276. Epub 2013 Jun 27.

Abstract

Discontinuation of reflex testing of stool submitted for Clostridium difficile testing for vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) led to an increase in the number of patients with healthcare-associated VRE bacteremia and bacteriuria (0.21 vs 0.36 cases per 1,000 patient-days; P<.01). Cost-benefit analysis showed reflex screening and isolation of VRE reduced hospital costs.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Bacteremia / economics
  • Bacteremia / epidemiology*
  • Bacteremia / microbiology
  • Bacteriological Techniques / economics
  • Bacteriuria / economics
  • Bacteriuria / epidemiology*
  • Bacteriuria / microbiology
  • Cost-Benefit Analysis
  • Cross Infection / economics
  • Cross Infection / epidemiology*
  • Cross Infection / microbiology
  • Enterococcus / isolation & purification
  • Feces / microbiology*
  • Gram-Positive Bacterial Infections / economics
  • Gram-Positive Bacterial Infections / epidemiology*
  • Gram-Positive Bacterial Infections / microbiology
  • Hospital Costs / statistics & numerical data*
  • Humans
  • Length of Stay / economics
  • Prevalence
  • Vancomycin Resistance