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The prevalence of vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) continues to increase in U.S. hospitals, despite improved hand hygiene and use of CDC-recommended isolation measures. In a study partially funded by industry, Chicago Antimicrobial Resistance Project investigators recently evaluated a novel method of universal patient disinfection, or “source control,” to decrease VRE burden in intensive care units (ICUs).
Over three sequential periods, patients in a 21-bed medical ICU were bathed daily with soap and water (period 1), single-use disposable 2% chlorhexidine gluconate–saturated cloths (period 2), and single-use disposable nonmedicated cloths (period 3). Rectal swabs were obtained from patients on admission and during ICU stay; culture sp…