Overview
Introduction
Vancomycin resistant enterococci (VRE) are enterococcal bacteria that no longer respond to vancomycin.
Vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) are enterococcal bacteria that no longer respond to vancomycin. The nursing challenge is not simply identifying a resistant organism. It is deciding whether the patient is colonized or infected, preventing contact transmission, recognizing sepsis, and administering or monitoring an alternative antimicrobial safely. A positive urine, stool, or rectal result does not by itself establish infection. The practical nurse works within state law, facility policy, and the assigned role to implement precautions, collect or monitor ordered cultures, administer authorized therapy, assess response, and report deterioration promptly.