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The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:
The Princess Margaret Hospital spokesperson made the following announcement today (August 19):
An 85-year-old female patient of a surgical ward in Princess Margaret Hospital was confirmed to be a Vancomycin Resistant Enterococci (VRE) carrier on August 14. In accordance with prevailing infection control guidelines, the hospital has screened and confirmed two more male patients and three female patients (aged 18 to 92) to be carriers of VRE. One of them has died of other disease and one other has been discharged. All other confirmed cases have been transferred to isolation ward for further monitoring and treatment. They are in stable condition.
The cases have been reported to the Hospital Authority (HA) Head Office and the Centre for Health Protection. The hospital has stepped up the infection control measures according to established guidelines and is closely monitoring patients' health.
The following enhanced infection control measures have already been adopted in the ward:
1. VRE-positive patients are cohorted in the HA Infectious Disease Centre;
2. Stringent contact precautions have been applied, including use of dedicated clinical equipment for VRE carriers;
3. Enhanced hand hygiene;
4. Enhanced attention to contamination-prone procedures; and
5. Enhanced disinfection and cleansing of the ward concerned.
Ends/Monday, August 19, 2013
Issued at HKT 18:56
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