Description

Resistant Enteric Surveillance Screen is intended as a screen for colonization of anitbiotic resistant enteric organisms (ex: VRE, ESBL, CRE, etc) which have important Infection Control implications. It is primarily used in the Hem/Onc and SCCA populations to determine if a patient is colonized with these organisms. This culture is not suitable for ruling out enteric pathogens (see Stool Culture).

Stool samples are preferred for this test, as the organisms will persist in the stool even after other sites have cleared. Specimen collection by rectal swabs, rectal e-swabs, or stool collected in diapers may significantly compromise test sensitivity. These other specimens will be accepted, but are strongly discouraged.

After antibiotic therapy is completed for VRE or an MDR-GNR, a patient should have 3 consecutive negative cultures collected at least 1 week apart to ensure clearance of the organism. If one or more of the surveillance cultures is positive, repeat surveillance testing should not be done until at least 90 days have passed.  See Children's Policy Resistant Organisms: Management of Patients with MRSA, VRE, CRE, or other Multi-Drug-Resistant Gram Negative Bacilli on CHILD for additional information about Resistant Organisms sample collection.