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To the Editor: Vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) often contaminate environmental surfaces in the rooms of colonized patients,¹ but the frequency of transfer from such surfaces to hands is not known. We tested the hypothesis that contact with contaminated surfaces would result in transfer of VRE to gloved hands and examined the potential role of disinfection of surfaces as a means to decrease transmission of VRE.

Methods

We performed a prospective culture survey of 13 patients (8 in a nursing home and 5 hospitalized) with VRE stool colonization. The density of VRE in each patient's stool was quantified by methods previously described.¹ Investigators donned sterile latex gloves and placed their hands for approximately 5 seconds onto each patient's bed rail and then bedside table. The fingers of both gloved hands were rubbed together for 10 seconds in 50 mL of brain-heart infusion broth, the gloves were removed, and premoistened swabs were applied to . . . [Full Text of this Article]

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