Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococci

What is VRE?

Enterococci are a type of bacteria that can colonize (live in) a person’s intestines and female genital tract. Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococci (VRE) are a strain of enterococci that have become resistant to Vancomycin over time. Vancomycin is a powerful antibiotic that is used to treat many infections. Patient’s with VRE may not always show signs of infection, but can still spread VRE to others. VRE is not a barrier to a patient’s discharge.

  • Many people who carry VRE do not become sick from it
  • Some people who carry VRE become sick with an infection. VRE can cause infections such as:
    • a urinary tract infection (UTI)
    • a wound infection
    • a blood infection

VRE may develop resistance not only to Vancomycin, but also to other antibiotics used to treat infections. When bacteria no longer respond to medications, they can cause serious infections.

How Does VRE Spread?

VRE can spread through physical contact. This includes:

  • Touching someone who has VRE
  • Coming in contact with bodily fluids from a person who has VRE
  • Touching contaminated surfaces around a person who has VRE

How can VRE be Prevented?

Regular hand hygiene is the most effective way of preventing the spread 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 Antibiotic-Resistant Organism (ARO) Brochure.

For more information regarding recommended measures after discharger for individuals with VRE, please refer to the VRE Fact Sheet.

VRE Blood Stream Infection Rates Per 1,000 Patient Days

2026
MonthNumber of new hospital acquired casesRates per 1,000 patient days
JAN<50
FEB<50
MAR<50
APR<50
MAY<50
JUN<50
JUL<50
AUG<50
SEP
OCT
NOV
DEC

VRE Blood Stream Infection Rates Per 1,000 Patient Days

2025
MonthNumber of new hospital acquired casesRates per 1,000 patient days
JAN<50
FEB<50
MAR<50
APR<50
MAY<50
JUN<50
JUL<50
AUG<50
SEP<50
OCT<50
NOV<50
DEC<50

VRE Blood Stream Infection Rates Per 1,000 Patient Days

2024
MonthNumber of new hospital acquired casesRates per 1,000 patient days
JAN<50
FEB<50
MAR<50
APR<50
MAY<50
JUN<50
JUL<50
AUG<50
SEP<50
OCT<50
NOV<50
DEC<50
2023
MonthNumber of new hospital acquired casesRates per 1,000 patient days
JAN<50
FEB<50
MAR<50
APR<50
MAY<50
JUN<50
JUL<50
AUG<50
SEP<50
OCT<50
NOV<50
DEC<50
2022
MonthNumber of new hospital acquired casesRates per 1,000 patient days
JAN<50
FEB<50
MAR<50
APR<50
MAY<50
JUN<50
JUL<50
AUG<50
SEP<50
OCT<50
NOV<50
DEC<50
2021
MonthNumber of new hospital acquired casesRates per 1,000 patient days
JAN<50
FEB<50
MAR<50
APR<50
MAY<50
JUN<50
JUL<50
AUG<50
SEP<50
OCT<50
NOV<50
DEC<50
2020
MonthNumber of new hospital acquired casesRates per 1,000 patient days
JAN<50
FEB<50
MAR<50
APR<50
MAY<50
JUN<50
JUL<50
AUG<50
SEP<50
OCT<50
NOV
DEC
2019
MonthNumber of new hospital acquired casesRates per 1,000 patient days
JAN<50
FEB<50
MAR<50
APR<50
MAY<50
JUN<50
JUL<50
AUG<50
SEP<50
OCT<50
NOV<50
DEC<50

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.