Information for Families regarding Vancomycin Resistant Enterococci (VRE)
23 Jun 2005

STATEMENT

23 June 2005

Vancomycin Resistant Enterococci (VRE) was detected recently on the cancer ward at Our Lady's Hospital for Sick Children Crumlin (OLHSC).  OLHSC maintained its normal infection control practices and put additional measures in place, which have curtailed the spread of the organism. 

To date 167 patients have been screened for Vancomycin Resistant Enterococci, 20 of whom are positive.  None of these 20 children are ill with Vancomycin Resistant Enterococci at present.  No new positive tests have happened within the last 3 weeks.

The hospital maintains its on going screening programme.

OLHSC would like to particularly thank all parents/guardians on the ward for their full co-operation with all infection control measures.   All families have been informed of the VRE situation and information leaflets have been distributed.

Patients and guardians have been informed that all patients booked for an outpatient/admission or any other procedure should attend as normal. Visiting restrictions apply only to St John's Ward.

Bacteria are part of the normal inhabitants of the intestine and do not usually cause harm to healthy individuals. Most people who get VRE do not develop infection.  If VRE is acquired by a patient, it will typically remain for the duration of treatment, but will gradually be replaced by other gut bacteria over time.  In the sickest patients, the bacteria can occasionally cause infection. However, antibiotics effective against these more resistant strains are now available. 

OLHSC welcomes the HSE announcement in relation to funding for development of the oncology/haematology services.