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The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:
Following an earlier announcement of some patients confirmed to be carriers of Vancomycin Resistant Enterococci (VRE), Princess Margaret Hospital spokesperson has the following update today (August 4):
In accordance with prevailing infection control guidelines, the hospital has screened and found two more male patients (aged 64 and 84) to be carriers of VRE and are asymptomatic. One of the patients has been transferred to the isolation ward of Hospital Authority Infectious Disease Centre for further monitoring. Another patient is staying in old age home (OAH) for monitoring. The OAH will step up infection control measures with assistance of the hospital. The hospital and OAH will closely monitor the concerned patients' conditions altogether.
There are clinical guidelines in public hospitals to ensure proper use of antibiotics, including Vancomycin, and management of VRE carriers. The hospital has stepped up the infection control measures according to established guidelines and is closely monitoring patients' health.
The cases have been reported to the Hospital Authority Head Office and the Centre for Health Protection for follow up.
Ends/Saturday, August 4, 2012
Issued at HKT 16:38
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