Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococci (VRE) Infection

VRE stands for Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococcus. Vancomycin is a strong antibiotic that is used as the main treatment for Antibiotic-Resistant Staph infections (MRSA). With VRE, the enterococcus has developed the ability to grow even in the presence of vancomycin. VRE organisms are also usually resistant to most other antibiotics. The enterococcus is a normally harmless bacterium that is found in the bowel or female genital tract of humans and other animals. It is part of the normal mixture / (flora) of bacteria that inhabit the body.

Handwashing is the most important thing to do to prevent the spread of VRE.

If you have any questions about infection control, please do not hesitate to see the Director of Nursing.

Infection Control