Work

Effects of Cessation of Single-Room Isolation on Transmission of Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococcus in a Hospital

Year: 2024

Type: article

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.

Source: Journal of Korean Medical Science

DOI: 10.3346/jkms.2025.40.e11