- Reference Number: HEY512/2026
- Departments: Infection Prevention and Control
- Last Updated: 28 February 2026
Introduction
This leaflet has been produced to give you general information. Most of your questions should be answered by this leaflet. It is not intended to replace the discussion between you and the healthcare team, however, may act as a starting point for discussion.
If after reading it, if you have any concerns or require further explanation, please discuss this with a member of the healthcare team.
What is CPE?
Carbapenemase Producing Enterobacteriaceae commonly referred to as CPE. Enterobacteriaceae are a type of bacteria (germs) that live in the gastrointestinal tract (bowels/gut) of most people or animals and do not cause illness. This is called colonisation, as there are normally no signs or symptoms because a person’s immune system keeps them in check. Sometimes these bacteria can cause infection if they get into an area of the body where they are not normally found such as a wound, urinary tract, heart valves and bloodstream. If they get into other parts of the body e.g. the urine or the bloodstream, they can cause an infection and will need treatment. Patients who have a weakened immune system may be more at risk of developing infection.
Carbapenem are very strong antibiotics. Carbapenemase are enzymes made by certain types of this bacteria, which allow them to destroy carbapenem antibiotics and so the bacteria referred to as resistant to these antibiotics.
Who is at risk of CPE?
People can become colonised with CPE if:
- they have been in hospital in the UK or abroad.
- they have had several courses of antibiotics in the past.
- they are a contact of a CPE positive case.
Who we test for CPE?
Patients are screened for CPE if they meeting one of the below criteria:
- You have been a patient in hospital elsewhere in the UK or abroad in the last 12 months.
- You have had confirmed CPE in the past.
- You have been in close contact with a confirmed CPE case.
- You are being admitted to an area where patients are more unwell or have a weakened immune system e.g. oncology wards, or renal department.
How are you tested for CPE?
CPE is found by taking swabs and growing bacteria in a laboratory. The swabs for CPE are taken via the rectum (back passage). A dual swab (similar to a cotton bud however with two ends) is placed inside the rectum for faeces to be on the swabs. This allows the laboratory staff to analyses for any bacteria growth on the swabs. People with signs and symptoms of an infection may have swabs taken to see which bacteria is causing the infection, which may then show CPE.
What happens if you have a negative CPE result?
This means that you are not infected or colonised with CPE and you may be moved back to the main ward area. You could be tested for CPE again if you are re-admitted to hospital.
Contact details
If you, your family or carers have any questions or concerns surrounding VRE. Please contact Humber Health Partnership Infection Prevention and Control Team (IPCTs) via the below contact routes:
Hull Royal Infirmary: Tel: 01482 311550
Castle Hill Hospital: Tel: 01482 623066
Scunthorpe General Hospital: Tel: 0303 330 2517
Diana Princess of Wales Hospital: Tel: 0303 330 4109
Goole District Hospital: Tel: 0303 330 2450
Between 8am to 4pm
General Advice and Consent
Most of your questions should have been answered by this leaflet, but remember that this is only a starting point for discussion with the healthcare team.
Consent to treatment
Before any doctor, nurse or therapist examines or treats you, they must seek your consent or permission. In order to make a decision, you need to have information from health professionals about the treatment or investigation which is being offered to you. You should always ask them more questions if you do not understand or if you want more information.
The information you receive should be about your condition, the alternatives available to you, and whether it carries risks as well as the benefits. What is important is that your consent is genuine or valid. That means:
- you must be able to give your consent
- you must be given enough information to enable you to make a decision
- you must be acting under your own free will and not under the strong influence of another person
Information about you
We collect and use your information to provide you with care and treatment. As part of your care, information about you will be shared between members of a healthcare team, some of whom you may not meet. Your information may also be used to help train staff, to check the quality of our care, to manage and plan the health service, and to help with research. Wherever possible we use anonymous data.
We may pass on relevant information to other health organisations that provide you with care. All information is treated as strictly confidential and is not given to anyone who does not need it. If you have any concerns please ask your doctor, or the person caring for you.
Under the General Data Protection Regulation and the Data Protection Act 2018 we are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of any information we hold about you. For further information visit the following page: Confidential Information about You.
If you or your carer needs information about your health and wellbeing and about your care and treatment in a different format, such as large print, braille or audio, due to disability, impairment or sensory loss, please advise a member of staff and this can be arranged.
