Is my family at risk if I have become colonized with VRE? • VRE is no more dangerous than other normal bacteria that people carry on their skin and are exposed to every day • You can carry on with your usual activities and remind everyone to wash their hands often. You should wash your hands after you go to the bathroom or touch any wounds as a matter of routine, not just for VRE If a family member assists in patient care, nursing staff will inform the persons involved of any extra precautions necessary Persons visiting should be aware of their own health status so as to avoid either putting the patient at increased risk or themselves at risk It is not recommended to visit any patient if you are feeling unwell, for example, if you have vomiting/ Diarrhoea or flu like symptoms Can a patient go home with VRE? Having VRE is not a reason for remaining in hospital, once a patient is otherwise fit for discharge. Any necessary follow up will be arranged with the patients GP or public health nurse What will happen in the future if the patient needs to go to hospital? If a patient attends any hospital in the future they should inform medical and nursing staff there that they have had VRE. Swabs and other specimens will be taken for laboratory analysis. For further information please contact the infection control team in Blackrock Clinic. Compiled by Joanne Flanagan, Clinical Nurse Specialist, Infection Prevention and Control Authorised by Dr Anne Gilleece, Consultant Microbiologist Published date August 2009 Last reviewed August 2009 Blackrock Clinic Rock Road, Blackrock, Co. Dublin Tel: 01 2832222 Fax: 01 2064314 www.blackrock-clinic.com fp0012 2How to wash your hands 1 3 2 4 5 6 Accredited by Joint Commission International Information and Advice for Patients and Visitors Vancomycin resistant enterococcus (VRE) qBC38_Vancomycin_VRE_leaflet.indd 1-3 30/07/2009 12:07:38
2
Embed
Vancomycin resistant enterococcus (VRE) · It is important that healthcare workers and visitors wash their hands before and after visiting a patient. Provided hands are not soiled
This document is posted to help you gain knowledge. Please leave a comment to let me know what you think about it! Share it to your friends and learn new things together.
Transcript
Is my family at risk if I have become colonized with VRE?