Vancomycin-resistant Enterococci
Enterococci are germs that live in the intestine of most individuals and generally do not cause harm. Vancomycin-resistant Enterococci (VRE) are strains of enterococci that are resistant to the antibiotic vancomycin. If a person has an infection caused by VRE, such as a urinary tract infection or blood infection, it may be more difficult to treat.
How does VRE spread?
VRE is spread from one person to another by contact, usually on the hands of healthcare providers or by contact with contaminated surfaces. VRE is identified through laboratory tests.
How can VRE be prevented?
Regular hand hygiene is the most effective way of preventing the transmission of any healthcare associated infection (HAI). For more information, please review our hand hygiene page.
For more information on VRE and how Runnymede controls the spread of this infection, please refer to our VRE brochure.
VRE surveillance is ongoing at all Ontario hospitals and is reported to the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care.
VRE Blood Stream Infection rates per 1,000 patient days
| 2023 | ||
| Month | Number of new hospital acquired cases | Rates per 1,000 patient days |
| JAN | <5 | 0 |
| FEB | <5 | 0 |
| MAR | <5 | 0 |
| APR | ||
| MAY | ||
| JUN | ||
| JUL | ||
| AUG | ||
| SEP | ||
| OCT | ||
| NOV | ||
| DEC |
| 2022 | ||
| Month | Number of new hospital acquired cases | Rates per 1,000 patient days |
| JAN | <5 | 0 |
| FEB | <5 | 0 |
| MAR | <5 | 0 |
| APR | <5 | 0 |
| MAY | <5 | 0 |
| JUN | <5 | 0 |
| JUL | <5 | 0 |
| AUG | <5 | 0 |
| SEP | <5 | 0 |
| OCT | <5 | 0 |
| NOV | <5 | 0 |
| DEC | <5 | 0 |
| 2021 | ||
| Month | Number of new hospital acquired cases | Rates per 1,000 patient days |
| JAN | <5 | 0 |
| FEB | <5 | 0 |
| MAR | <5 | 0 |
| APR | <5 | 0 |
| MAY | <5 | 0 |
| JUN | <5 | 0 |
| JUL | <5 | 0 |
| AUG | <5 | 0 |
| SEP | <5 | 0 |
| OCT | <5 | 0 |
| NOV | <5 | 0 |
| DEC | <5 | 0 |
| 2020 | ||
| Month | Number of new hospital acquired cases | Rates per 1,000 patient days |
| JAN | <5 | 0 |
| FEB | <5 | 0 |
| MAR | <5 | 0 |
| APR | <5 | 0 |
| MAY | <5 | 0 |
| JUN | <5 | 0 |
| JUL | <5 | 0 |
| AUG | <5 | 0 |
| SEP | <5 | 0 |
| OCT | <5 | 0 |
| NOV | ||
| DEC | ||
| 2019 | ||
| Month | Number of new hospital acquired cases | Rates per 1,000 patient days |
| JAN | <5 | 0 |
| FEB | <5 | 0 |
| MAR | <5 | 0 |
| APR | <5 | 0 |
| MAY | <5 | 0 |
| JUN | <5 | 0 |
| JUL | <5 | 0 |
| AUG | <5 | 0 |
| SEP | <5 | 0 |
| OCT | <5 | 0 |
| NOV | <5 | 0 |
| DEC | <5 | 0 |
For more information about how our rates are calculated or to find out more about VRE, please contact our infection prevention and control practitioner at 416-762-7316, ext. 2238.