CPE (Carbapenease-producing Enterobacteriaceae) – Contact

CPE (Carbapenease-producing Enterobacteriaceae) – Contact

WHAT IS CARBAPENEASE-PRODUCING ENTEROBACTERIACEAE (CPE)?
Enterobacteriaceae are bacteria that usually live harmlessly in the gut of humans. This is called ‘colonisation’. However, if the bacteria get into the wrong place, such as the bladder or bloodstream they can cause infection.

CPE are bacteria which are resistant to certain antibiotics called carbapenems (one of the most powerful types of antibiotics). These CPE produce enzymes called carbapenemases that destroy carbapenem antibiotics.

WHY DOES CARBAPENEM RESISTANCE MATTER?
Medical staff in hospitals rely on carbapenems to successfully treat certain ‘difficult’ infections when other antibiotics have failed. Therefore in hospitals, where there are many vulnerable patients, it is important to prevent the spread of resistant bacteria such as CPE.

DOES CPE COLONISATION NEED TO BE TREATED?
If a person is colonised with CPE, they do not need to be treated. However, if the bacteria have caused an infection, then special antibiotics will be required.

HOW IS CPE SPREAD?
If a patient in hospital is carrying this bacterium it can get into the ward environment and can also be passed on by direct contact with that particular patient. For that reason, the patient will normally be accommodated in a single room. Effective environmental cleaning and good hand hygiene by all, staff, visitors and patients, can reduce the risk of spread significantly.

DO I NEED TO BE SCREENED?
Occasionally, it isn’t immediately known that a patient is colonised or infected with these bacteria and so they may not be placed into a single room straight away. Screening will be offered if you have shared the same bay (or ward) with a patient who has been found to be colonised or infected with CPE. This screening is offered as there is a slight chance that you could have also become colonised with these bacteria.

HOW WILL I BE SCREENED FOR CPE?
Screening entails taking a swab from just inside your rectum (bottom). Alternatively, you may be asked to provide a sample of faeces (poo). The swab/sample will be sent to the laboratory for testing. This process is then repeated on a further 2 occasions, therefore 3 swabs/samples are taken in total, there must be a gap of 48hrs between each swab/sample. If you are discharged home before all 3 swabs/samples are obtained you may be sent home with sample pots to collect your faeces and instructions on where to take these samples.

If the results are negative there is no further action that needs to be taken.

WHAT IF THE RESULT IS POSITIVE?
If the result is positive your doctor or nurse will explain this to you in more detail and provide a leaflet relating to positive results.

You will be given a single room until you leave hospital. No treatment is necessary unless you have an infection when antibiotics will be given.

WHERE CAN I FIND MORE INFORMATION?
If you would like further information, please speak to a member of your ward staff.

If your symptoms or condition worsens, or if you are concerned about anything, please call your GP, 111, or 999.

Patient Experience
We know that being admitted to hospital can be a difficult and unsettling time for you and your loved ones. If you have any questions or concerns, please do speak with a member of staff on the ward or in the relevant department who will do their best to answer your questions and reassure you. 

Feedback
Feedback is really important and useful to us – it can tell us where we are working well and where improvements can be made. There are lots of ways you can share your experience with us including completing our Friends and Family Test – cards are available and can be posted on all wards, departments and clinics at our hospitals. We value your comments and feedback and thank you for taking the time to share this with us.

Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS)
If you have any concerns or questions about your care, we advise you to talk with the nurse in charge or the department manager in the first instance as they are best placed to answer any questions or resolve concerns quickly. If the relevant member of staff is unable to help resolve your concern, you can contact the PALS Team. We offer informal help, advice or support about any aspect of hospital services & experiences.

Our PALS team will liaise with the various departments in our hospitals on your behalf, if you feel unable to do so, to resolve your problems and where appropriate refer to outside help.

If you are still unhappy you can contact the Complaints Department, who can investigate your concerns. You can make a complaint orally, electronically or in writing and we can advise and guide you through the complaints procedure.

How to contact PALS:
Telephone Patient Services: 0300 123 1732 or via email at: [email protected]

Opening times:
The PALS telephone lines are open Monday to Friday from 8.30am to 4.00pm. Please be aware that you may need to leave a voicemail message, but we aim to return your call within one working day.

If you are unable to understand this leaflet, please communicate with a member of staff.  

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