Cluster of Vancomycin Resistant Enterococci cases at Tseung Kwan O Hospital
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The spokesperson for Tseung Kwan O Hospital (TKOH) made the following announcement today (April 26):
A 94-year old patient in a male medical ward of TKOH was confirmed to be a Vancomycin Resistant Enterococci (VRE) carrier on April 14. In accordance with the prevailing infection control guidelines, the hospital has conducted contact tracing investigation. Three more patient were confirmed to be VRE carriers on April 20. The hospital then conducted further screening in the same ward. Thirteen more patients were also confirmed to be VRE carriers. All patients were asymptomatic. Among the 17 patients (aged 42 to 94) concerned, two patients passed away due to their underlying illness, three patients have been transferred to other hospitals, four other patients have been discharged and the remaining eight patients are now being treated under isolation with stable condition.
The ward concerned has adopted the following enhanced infection control measures:
- Enhanced hand hygiene of patients and staff and stringent contact precautions;
- Enhanced attention to contamination-prone procedures; and
- Enhanced cleaning and disinfection of the ward environment concerned.
The hospital will continue the enhanced infection control measures and closely monitor the situation of the ward concerned. The cases have been reported to the Hospital Authority Head Office and the Centre for Health Protection of the Department of Health for necessary follow-up.
Ends/Wednesday, April 26, 2023
Issued at HKT 19:12
Issued at HKT 19:12
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