Contact tracing and isolation of Carbapenemase producing Enterobacterales (CPE) in a tertiary referral hospital
Year: 2026
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: BACKGROUND: Carbapenemase producing Enterobacterales (CPE) are an emerging cause of healthcare associated infection that pose a significant threat to public health. The Clinical Excellence Commission (CEC) have developed a guideline to assist with strategies to prevent, detect and contain CPE in healthcare facilities. We aimed to assess the compliance of contact screening as recommended by this guideline and determine the potential barriers leading to decreased compliance. METHODS: This is a retrospective cohort study conducted at a single tertiary referral centre from June 2022 to April 2024. We reviewed all cases where CPE was isolated from either clinical or infection control screening samples. Index cases and contacts (as defined by the CEC CPE guideline) were included in the study. Data collected contained whether appropriate contact CPE screening was performed, CPE transmission rates, and contact deisolation rate. RESULTS: There were 27 CPE index cases that triggered contact tracing investigation, with 140 case contacts requiring screening. There was one case with microbiological confirmation of CPE transmission. 53 (38 %) contacts completed all required CPE screening samples with 38/53 (71 %) achieving clearance from contact precautions. Patient discharge at the time of CPE laboratory confirmation was the primary reason for not achieving contact screening requirements. Time to laboratory confirmation of CPE and confirmation of CPE cases during non-business hours were contributing factor. CONCLUSION: CPE contact screening identified few additional cases in our cohort although rate of screening completion was low. Compliance with the guideline was poor when a patient was discharged from the facility.
Source: Infection Disease & Health
Authors: Rebecca Sparks, Ruchir Chavada
Institutions: Liverpool Hospital, NSW Health Pathology
Language: English
Subfield: Infectious Diseases
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $2,250
OpenAlex ID: W7124883252