Retrospective Evaluation of Vancomycin-resistant Enterococci Outbreak in Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

Abstract

Introduction: Vancomycin-resistance in enterococci (VRE) poses a major threat in hospitals. It is well known that patients in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) is especially at risk of nosocomial VRE acquisition. In this study, it was aimed to present the VRE outbreak analysis identified in NICU. Materials and Methods: Patients with VRE colonization and infection were included in the study between 17.10.2016-30.03.2017 in NICU. Results: There are a total of 30 beds in the NICU, including five beds in the level 1 ICU, eight beds in the level 2 ICU and 17 beds in the level 3 ICU. Newborns in the NICU are hospitalised in the same ICU (room) in a mixed form. Enterococci were detected in blood culture samples of four patients in the NICU. Three of these cases were VRE and the other was VSE (vancomycin-sensitive enterococci). The most important problem identified in the NICU was the inability to use the interior architecture effectively. In addition, inadequate nurse both in number and level of education and lack of night observations were identified as other problems. Conclusion: As a result, the outbreak in NICU was controlled thanks to educated nurse support, frequent visits and change in interior architecture.

Keywords

• Nurse
• outbreak
• infrastructure
• investigation
• education