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What is CPE?
CPE stands for Carbapenemase Producing Enterobacteriaceae, which are bacteria that usually live harmlessly in the gut of humans.
This is called colonisation. However, if the bacteria gets into the wrong place such as the bloodstream or the bladder, this can cause infection.
Carbapenem are one of the most powerful types of antibiotics. Carbapenemase are enzymes (chemicals), produced by some strains of these bacteria, which allow them to destroy carbapenem antibiotics and so the bacteria are said to be resistant to most antibiotics.
Why does carbapenem resistance matter?
Carbapenem antibiotics can only be given in hospital directly into the bloodstream.
Until now, doctors have relied on them to successfully treat certain ‘difficult’ infections when other antibiotics have failed to do so.
How do I contract CPE?
Sometimes the bacteria can be found living harmlessly in the gut of humans so it can be difficult to say when or where you contracted CPE.
However, there is an increased chance of picking up the bacteria if you are a patient in a hospital abroad or in a UK hospital that has had patients carrying the bacteria.
What care will I receive in hospital?
You will be assessed by healthcare staff as to whether you need to be nursed in isolation. You may be asked to provide a number of samples or swabs depending on your length of stay, to check if you are still carrying CPE.
How is it treated?
If a person is a carrier of CPE, they do not need to be treated, although if the bacteria have caused an infection, then antibiotics will be required.
How is CPE spread in hospital?
CPE can be spread:
- From person to person, on the hands and skin of staff, students, patients and visitors, by touching someone who is infected or colonised
- By touching room surfaces and objects such as equipment, bowls, shared electrical or medical devices, surfaces around patients (for example bedside tables), commodes and toilets that have CPE on them.
They are not spread through the air or by coughing or sneezing.
How can the spread of CPE be prevented?
If a patient in hospital is carrying the CPE bacteria it can get into the ward environment and can also be passed on by direct physical contact e.g. by hands.
For that reason, the patient will normally be accommodated in a single room. Good hand hygiene by all - staff, patients and visitors - can reduce the risk of spread significantly. Effective environmental cleaning is also important to reduce spread.
Can I have visitors?
Yes, you can. Your visitors will need to follow strict hand hygiene before entering and every time they leave your room. Soap and water should be used.
They are not required to wear aprons and gloves when entering your room, unless they are helping with your care needs.
What happens when I am discharged home?
Wash your hands with soap and water often, particularly after using the toilet and when preparing food. No special measures are required with household cleaning and laundry.
Once you are discharged home there is no reason why you should not continue to join in any activity you enjoyed before coming into hospital. If you have any concerns speak to your GP or the infection prevention and control team.
What is Mersey Care doing to prevent and control CPE?
We work hard to prevent and control all infections, including:
- Training staff
- Having procedures for staff to follow
- Ensuring the hospital/clinics are cleaned to a high standard
- Regular audits/spot checks to monitor cleaning standards
- Monitoring the prescribing of antibiotics to ensure they are prescribed appropriately and only used when required.
Further information
The following websites are useful and discuss antibiotics and the importance of using them responsibly:
Our patients matter
Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust listens and responds to patients and their carers to help improve the services we deliver.
If you have any comments, compliments or concerns you can speak with a member of staff or contact our Patient Advice and LiaisonService (PALS) and Complaints Team.
Telephone: 0151 471 2377 Freephone: 0800 328 2941 Email: palsandcomplaints
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Approval date: 30 October 2025
Review date: 19 October 2026
Version number: 1
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