Shaikh, Z. H., Osting, C. A., Hanna, H. A., Arbuckle, R. B., Tarr, J. J., & Raad, I. I. (2002). Effectiveness of a multifaceted infection control policy in reducing vancomycin usage and vancomycin-resistant enterococci at a tertiary care cancer centre. Journal of Hospital Infection, 51, 52–58.
To evaluate the role of a multi-faceted infection control policy in decreasing the transmission of vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE).
A surveillance program was initiated. The use of empirical vancomycin was limited in patients with febrile neutropenia to four specific situations.
Infection control staff monitored isolation practices and educated staff and visitors.
This was a prospective cohort study.
The total incidence of VRE infections declined from 0.437 in 1,000 patient days to 0.229 in 1,000 patient days.