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The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:
The spokesperson of United Christian Hospital (UCH) made the following announcement today (March 15):
A 78-year-old male patient admitted to the surgical ward at UCH earlier due to Haematuria was confirmed to be a Vancomycin Resistant Enterococci (VRE) carrier on March 11. In accordance with the prevailing infection control guidelines, the hospital has screened patients who had contact with the index patient. Two patients (one male and one female, aged 80 and 83) have been confirmed to be VRE carriers, all without clinical symptoms. Two of the patients are still hospitalised at UCH, under medical surveillance and isolation, with stable condition. The remaining patient has been discharged.
The cases have been reported to the Hospital Authority Head Office and the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) for necessary follow-up.
The experts of UCH and the CHP met today to review the patient cases. The following enhanced infection control measures have already been adopted:
1. Disinfection and cleansing of the ward concerned have been enhanced;
2. Stringent contact precautions have been applied, including dedicated use of clinical items to VRE carriers and enhanced hand hygiene;
3. All VRE carriers are under medical surveillance in isolation rooms;
4. Restricted visiting to the ward concerned is imposed.
UCH will continue to closely monitor the situation of the ward.
Ends/Friday, March 15, 2013
Issued at HKT 19:18
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