The degree of infection varies from stitch abscesses, to septic phlebitis, chronic osteomyelitis, pneumonia, meningitis, endocarditis and sepsis. Usually referred to as MRSA, methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus is a growing problem which threatens the integrity of hospital care. Control of the spread of VRE and MRSA Control of the spread of VRE and MRSA hospital infections is primarily addressed through stringent infection control procedures and careful use of antibiotics. Health care establishments are encouraged to maintain programs of ongoing improvement in infection control practice and to strictly adhere to the highest infection control measures. In hospitals, patients with VRE should be kept in isolation, and normal isolation procedures implemented.
Isolation is to prevent spread of the organism to other patients.
As the bacterium can survive for long periods in the environment, cleaning of surfaces is important. Guidelines for appropriate use of antibiotics in humans are provided in Antibiotic Guidelines 9th edition 1996, published by the Department of Health and Community Services, Victoria.