Carbapenemase-Producing Organisms (CPOs) have created quite a stir in Fraser Health where an outbreak was declared at Royal Columbian Hospital earlier this month. Why should we be concerned about CPO? Who’s at risk and how can we prevent an outbreak here at VCH?

Carbapenemase  Producing Organisms (CPOs) also referred to as Carbapenemase-Producing Enterobacteriaceae (CPEs) or Carbapenem-Resistant Organisms (CROs),  are a family of bacteria that can be found in human intestines. These bacteria are concerning because of their acquired resistance to antibiotics, making them very difficult to treat and potentially deadly.

Who’s at risk?

People at risk of acquiring these organisms  include those who have:

• Been hospitalized in countries where the bacteria are prevalent including South Asia, parts of the United States and Greece are at highest risk.
• Been admitted to facilities affected by CPOs in Canada

How is it spread?

It is usually spread by:

• Poor hand hygiene
• Contaminated environmental surfaces (e.g. light switches and taps)
• Shared personal items (e.g. towels, tooth brushes or bars of soap).

How can I protect myself and my patients?

Practise good hand hygiene and maintain a clean environment.

What is VCH doing about CPO?

We screen for CPOs  using appropriate specimens (e.g. perirectal screens, tracheal aspirate, urine cultures) and have laboratory and infection prevention measures  to detect and prevent the spread of these organisms in our facilities.

Patients with CPO will be cared for while on contact precautions, requiring use of gowns and gloves.  There will also be added emphasis on environmental cleanliness.

What do I do if I suspect a patient has CPO?

Please notify infection control and refer to VCH Guidelines for Management of Multi-Drug Resistant Gram Negative Bacilli.

How is CPO treated?

Most people who have CPO carry the organisms without any symptoms or problems and are referred to as carriers. Healthy people do not usually get infected with CPOs.

Treatment is only required if a patient develops signs and symptoms of a clinical infection with CPO.  As there are very few treatment options available if clinical infection with CPO develops, treatment is guided by the organism’s antibiotic susceptibility profile reported by the laboratory and in consultation with appropriate services.

Learn more about CPO

• Read the VCH Guidelines for Management of Multi-Drug Resistant Gram Negative Bacilli
• Visit the CDC website
• Read the information on the Fraser Heath website.

Contact us

Have more questions about CPO? Contact Infection Control.