Abstract
Nosocomial acquisition of microorganisms resistant to multiple antibiotics represents a threat to patient safety. Here we review the mechanisms that have allowed highly resistant strains belonging to the Enterococcus genus to proliferate within our health-care institutions. These mechanisms indicate that decreasing the prevalence of resistant organisms requires active surveillance, adherence to vigorous isolation, hand hygiene and environmental decontamination measures, and effective antibiotic stewardship. We suggest how to tailor such a complex, multidisciplinary program to the needs of a particular health-care setting so as to maximize cost-effectiveness.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 504S-518S |
Journal | CHEST |
Volume | 123 |
Issue number | 5 SUPPL. |
State | Published - May 1 2003 |
Keywords
- Antibiotic control
- Antibiotic management
- Antibiotic stewardship
- Enterococcus
- Infection control
- Resistance
- Review
- Surveillance
- Vancomycin
- Vancomycin-resistant enterococci
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Pulmonary and Respiratory Medicine
- Critical Care and Intensive Care Medicine
- Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine