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The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:
Following an earlier announcement concerning some patients who were confirmed to be carriers of Vancomycin Resistant Enterococci (VRE), a spokesperson for Princess Margaret Hospital gave the following update today (August 6):
In accordance with prevailing infection control guidelines, the hospital has conducted screening and has found one more male patient (aged 82) to be a carrier of VRE and he is asymptomatic. The patient is staying in an old-age home (OAH) for monitoring. The OAH will step up infection control measures with the assistance of the hospital. The hospital and the OAH will closely monitor the condition of the patients concerned.
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 the patients' health.
The case has been reported to the Hospital Authority Head Office and the Centre for Health Protection for follow-up.
Ends/Monday, August 6, 2012
Issued at HKT 17:42
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