Contact Precautions

Enterobacter Species - E. cloacae, E. aerogenes, Pantoea (formerly Enterobacter) agglomerans resistant to either ciprofloxacin (Cipro) or TMP/SMX (Bactrim) requires Contact Precautions regardless of the beta-lactam sensitivity profile given the presence of an inducible chromosomal beta-lactamase.

Contact Precautions:

• Private Room
• Don and remove gown and gloves upon entering and exiting patient's room.
• Wash hands after removal of gown/gloves.
• Dedicate non-critical patient care equipment.

Duration of Precautions: Contact Precautions can be discontinued if:

1. Patient is off all antibiotics for a minimum of 48 hours, assuming normal renal function. (If the patient has impaired renal function or is on dialysis, then the appropriate interval of time for clearance of all antibiotics should have elapsed before culturing the patient.)
2. Two sequential cultures from the site of infection (colonization if applicable) obtained 24 hours apart are negative for the Enterobacter.
3. Two sequential perirectal swabs obtained minimum of 24 hours apart are negative.

Last modified: February 24, 2003.



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