An outbreak of vancomycin-resistant enterococci in a hematology-oncology unit: control by patient cohorting and terminal cleaning of the environment.

We describe the impact of enhanced infection control interventions on controlling the spread of vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) in our hematology-oncology unit. Between April and September 1998, 13 patients on this unit were identified as having VRE. In addition to contact precautions, other measures that were needed to control the outbreak included closure of the unit to new admissions, creation of a cohort of VRE-positive patients and staff, and thorough cleaning of patients' rooms with 0.

Outbreak of burkholderia cepacia in the adult intensive care unit traced to contaminated indigo-carmine dye.

We report an unusual cluster of Burkholderia cepacia in patients. Environmental cultures identified indigo-carmine dye used in enteral feeding as the reservoir. Compared with the controls, the cases were significantly more likely to have received tube feedings tinted with this dye.