How is the VRE rate calculated?

The infection rate is calculated as a rate per 1,000 patient days. “Total number of patient days” represents the sum of the number of days during which services were provided to all inpatients during the given time period.

The rate is calculated as follows: 

Number of nosocomial patients with laboratory identification of VRE bacteraemia  
                                                              x 1000                                                                                                                              
Total number of patient days 

Reporting Period Markham Site Uxbridge Site   Number of Cases Rate Number of Cases Rate Nov 2008 0 0.00 0 0.00 Jan – Mar 2009 0 0.00 0 0.00 Apr – Jun 2009 0 0.00 0 0.00 Jul – Sept 2009 0 0.00 0 0.00 Oct – Dec 2009 Jan - Mar 2010 Apr - Jun 2010 0 0 0 0.00 0.00 0.00 0 0 0 0.00 0.00 0.00

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus (VRE)?

Vancomycin is an antibiotic used to treat certain infections, including those caused by most strains of Enterococcus. Enterococci are bacteria normally found in the intestinal tract (bowels) of most indicviduals. When Vancomycin is unable to kill this bacterium, the bacterium is called VRE.

Who is at risk for VRE?

Risk factors for VRE include severe underlying illness, presence of invasive devices, prior colonization with VRE and antibiotic use. Patients who have been in the hospital for a long time also have an increased risk of contracting VRE.

How do you get VRE?

VRE is spread from one person to another, usually by caregivers, through physical contact or by touching contaminated material discharged by an infected person. VRE is found on the hands of caregivers or on articles contaminated by the skin of a person with VRE such as towels and sheets. 

How is the spread of VRE prevented in the hospital?

The spread of VRE occurs due to inadequate hand hygiene and environmental cleaning; therefore, proper control is achieved through consistent hand hygiene and thorough cleaning of the patient environment. Good hand hygiene (i.e. washing hands thoroughly and often) is the single-most effective way to prevent the spread of infectious diseases like VRE.

If you are infected with VRE you may expect the following precautions to take place during your stay at the hospital to prevent the spread of infection to other patients.

·         You may be moved to a single room

·         Everyone entering your room will wear a gown, gloves and a mask

·         Everyone who leaves your room should remove all protective wear and wash their hands

·         You must clean your hands before you leave your room and only leave your room when you have permission to do so.

What is Markham Stouffville Hospital doing to control the spread of VRE?

Markham Stouffville Hospital has implemented the Ministry of Health and Long Term Care’s Just Clean Your Hands hand hygiene initiative. We are working with employees, visitors and patients to minimize hospital-acquired infections through:

·         Hand cleaning initiatives

·         Environmental cleaning

·         Sterilization of equipment

·         Education

·         Additional isolation precautions

If you have any questions about the hospital’s infection prevention and control program, please contact:

Mary-Lou James
Director, Patient Relations
905-472-7095 

Sheila Churilla
Manager, Infection Prevention and Control
905-472-7000 ext. 6398