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The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:
Following an earlier announcement on the confirmation of two male patients and one female patient as Vancomycin Resistant Enterococci (VRE) carriers in a neurosurgery ward, a spokesman for Queen Mary Hospital (QMH) gave an update today (April 7):
In accordance with the prevailing infection control guidelines, the hospital has screened all discharged patients who have been in contact with the three VRE carriers. As a result, an 89-year-old male patient, who had been transferred form QMH to Tung Wah Hospital (TWH) on March 16 was confirmed to be a VRE carrier. TWH has informed the patient's relatives about the situation. The patient's condition is stable and he has been isolated. There is no sign of infection due to VRE. QMH and TWH will continue to monitor his condition.
All Hong Kong West Cluster hospitals have stepped up infection control measures according to existing guidelines and procedures. The clustering of VRE carriers in QMH has been reported to the Hospital Authority Head Office and the Centre for Health Protection for follow-up action.
All public hospitals have been adopting the guidelines on proper use of antibiotics, including guidelines on the use of Vancomycin and management of VRE carriers.
Ends/Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Issued at HKT 17:31
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