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Hi I am a bit confused with the precautions that need to be met with the different infections. What does it mean when it is said that Vancomycin-resistant enterococci is resistant to hand gel. Does it mean that it is not effective against the microorganism, or if the hand gel can be used? I know for difficle, you need to thoroughly wash your hands with soap. Thanks alot!!!!!!!!!!

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Specializes in Vascular Access.
Hi I am a bit confused with the precautions that need to be met with the different infections. What does it mean when it is said that Vancomycin-resistant enterococci is resistant to hand gel. Does it mean that it is not effective against the microorganism, or if the hand gel can be used? I know for difficle, you need to thoroughly wash your hands with soap. Thanks alot!!!!!!!!!!

Well, alcohol gels are effective against MRSA and VRE. Alcohol has germacidal activity against these organisms, but not against C-Diff. So, yes, you must wash with soap and water if you have a pt with this organism as Alcohol is not effective in killing it.

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Specializes in Telemetry/PCU.

If an organism is resistant to something then it is not going to kill it, or kill all of it. So if it is resistant to hand gel then yes, use soap and water, because the gel won't kill it. And your right, c-diff is a perfect example of this

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Specializes in Med/Surg.

C-Dif isn't resistant to alcohol, it is just protected from it. It is a sporoform, thus has a hard shell. You can either use sopa & water, create a GOOD lather all over, then rince it off, or, bleach lol ;) Which disolves the shell.

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