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The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:
The spokesperson of Prince of Wales Hospital made the following announcement today (May 26) about a contract worker being diagnosed with tuberculosis:
A worker hired by the hospital's contract service provider has suffered from prolonged coughing since early April. The worker is responsible for transporting patients to and from the operating theatres. He was admitted to the medical ward on May 19 and his lung fluid was collected for laboratory testing. Test results on May 24 confirmed that he had been infected with tuberculosis. He is currently on leave and being treated at the Department of Health Chest Clinic.
The hospital has conducted investigation in accordance with the prevailing infection control guidelines. Doctors in microbiology and respiratory medicine and the infection control team have jointly assessed the situation and concluded that the risk of infection to patients who had been transported by the worker was low, taking into account that the worker had put on a surgical mask while on duty, the transportation time was short, and no direct patient care was involved.
As a precautionary measure, the hospital is conducting initial screening and risk assessment for 138 patients who were transported by the worker concerned in April and May. Appropriate follow-up actions including clinical examinations will be taken as necessary. The hospital will also organise a briefing session for the hospital staff and the contractor's employees who had contact with the staff member concerned to explain the situation and offer health advice. Chest X-rays will be arranged when necessary.
The case has been reported to the Hospital Authority Head Office and the Centre for Health Protection. The hospital will enhance infection control measures and closely monitor the health condition of the patients and staff concerned.
Ends/Thursday, May 26, 2016
Issued at HKT 18:40
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