Oral vancomycin is utilized in the treatment of severe Clostridium difficile infection (CDI). We prospectively measured serum vancomycin concentrations (SVC) in patients treated with oral vancomycin. The SVC was measured by immunoassay prior to, and at least 3 days after, the administration of oral vancomycin 125 mg every 6 h. Patients treated with intravenous vancomycin were excluded. Fifty-seven patients with a mean age of 74 y (± 18) were enrolled. There was no detectable SVC in 56 patients (98%); 1 patient had a transient SVC of 6.7 μg/ml that was not detectable on subsequent testing. The severity of the CDI and/or renal failure did not have an effect on SVC. Orally administered vancomycin at 125 mg 4 times daily was not absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract.

CRGNB infections are associated with previous antibiotic and health care exposure. Mortality is related to age and the severity of chronic and acute illness.

phygmomanometers are frequently contaminated with bacteria and are implicated in the transmission of microbes. A pilot study was conducted to determine the effectiveness and feasibility of using a physical barrier device in reducing rates of microbial contamination of sphygmomanometer cuffs. Blood pressure recordings were made with and without a disposable plastic device on healthy individuals to ensure that it did not interfere with the accuracy of readings. Baseline rates of microbial colonisation of sphygmomanometer cuffs were obtained over a six week period. For six weeks the device was applied to patients’ arms before measuring blood pressure, and sphygmomanometer cuffs were recultured during the intervention period. No difference was found in blood pressure recordings with and without the device. No difference in rates of bacterial contamination was observed during the intervention phase of the study. A disposable plastic device acting as a physical barrier may not reduce surface contamination of sphygmomanometer cuffs.

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