Japanese Society for Infection Prevention and Control-Online Journal

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A Case of Diarrhea-related Outbreak that Suggested a Nosocomial Infection

Shunpei SAITOU, Mamoru KOMATU, Kei TAKAMURA, Yuka AOYAMA, Rie SATOU, Osamu KADOWAKI and Yuuki EBINA
Department of Clinical Laboratory Technology, JA Hokkaido Koseiren Obihiro Hospital

We experienced an outbreak of vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium (VRE, Van A type) after the end of clostridium difficile infection (CDI) outbreak. We conducted a screening of ward staff and patients; three patients were detected with VRE. The infection control team evaluated the ward, and a few problems, such as the timing of hand hygiene and putting on and off of protector, were pointed out. We introduced continuous instruction and environmental maintenance. Thereafter, the number of enforcements per inpatient of hand disinfectants increased and the diaper exchange procedure observance rate was improved. The VRE outbreak was over within 1 month.
We conducted a workshop on the outbreak of CDI and VRE using this experience and planned reinforcement of infection measures inside the hospital.
In the future, the ward staff can continue environmental maintenance and hand hygiene.

Key words：vancomycin-resistant enterococci, outbreak, infection control team

e-mail: mraverage123＠yahoo.co.jp

Received: October 31, 2022
Accepted: March 27, 2023

38 (4)：215─219,2023