Effects of Cessation of Single-Room Isolation on Transmission of Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococcus in a Hospital
- Author:
Si-Ho KIM
1
;
Yu Jin LEE
;
Ji Hong PARK
;
Seran CHEON
;
Jeong Seon RYU
;
Jung Min SHIN
;
Nam Sun HONG
;
Yi-Rang JEONG
;
Cheon Hoo JEON
;
Yu Mi WI
Author Information
- Publication Type:Original Article
- From:Journal of Korean Medical Science 2024;40(5):e11-
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Background:Single room isolation with contact precautions is widely regarded as a fundamental strategy to prevent the transmission of multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs). However, its implementation demands substantial resources, limiting its universal application to all MDROs. In this study, we assessed the effect of discontinuing single room isolation for vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus (VRE).
Methods:This is a retrospective, observational study conducted at a single 750-bed tertiary center. We conducted an interrupted time series analysis to compare incidence rates and trends of new-onset VRE colonization and bacteremia during the one year before and after the strategy change on January 1, 2023.
Results:Single-room occupancy decreased from 79.7% pre-intervention to 23.6% postintervention (P < 0.001). The incidence rate of new-onset VRE colonization was 0.452 and 0.535 per 1,000 patient-days in the pre- and post-intervention periods, respectively, with no statistically significant difference (P = 0.202). However, there was a slightly increasing trend (0.036 [95% confidence interval, −0.002, 0.074] increase per month, P = 0.066). The new-onset VRE bacteremia incidence rate was not differed in incidence (0.060 and 0.055, P= 0.571) or trend (P = 0.720).
Conclusion:Our study suggests that discontinuing single-room isolation for VRE patients may not affect the incidence of new-onset VRE bacteremia, but caution is needed due to the potential increase in colonization.
