VRE Screen - Provincial
Discipline
Microbiology
Overview
Description
- Vancomycin resistant enterococci (VRE) can cause infections and are of particular risk to immunocompromised and ICU patients. SHA Infection prevention and control recommends screening for VRE carriage for patients admitted to oncology and IC wards in an attempt to identify and isolate these patients
Ordering Recommendations
- Patients admitted or transferred to a “High Risk Unit”: ICU, CCU, + MRSA, PICU, NICU, Transplant Units, or Oncology Units
- Patients associated with a known outbreak
Specimen Information
Specimen types accepted
-
Rectal swab or Stool
Specimen collection container
- Use liquid-based E-swab collection system (preferred) or M-40 Transystem swabs.
- Sterile container for stool specimens
Collection procedure
-
Rectal swab (preferred): insert into rectum 2-3 cm and rotate 5 times Use liquid-based E-swab collection system (preferred) or M-40 Transystem swabs.
-
Stool: collect 1g (~size of a hazelnut) of freshly passed stool into sterile container with no preservative (White top).
Transport and stability
- Transport at room temperature, as soon as possible. If delay anticipated, keep specimen at 4°C.
- Room temperature stability 48h
- 4°C stability 4 days
Testing Information
Relevant clinical history
- Being admitted or transferred to a “High Risk Unit”: ICU, CCU, PICU, Transplant Units, or Oncology Units
- Patient is a contact in a known outbreak
Performance
Methodology
- Isolation of VRE on selective agar media followed by confirmation of identification and susceptibility
Days/times performed
Availability
-
Performed at RUH and RGH only, RUH performs North and RGH performs South
Maximum laboratory time
Result Reporting
- Turaround time 24-72 hours from receipt in lab
Specimen retention time
-
Isolates are retained up to 7 days
Last Updated: April 18, 2024