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The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:
The spokesperson of Caritas Medical Centre (CMC) made the following announcement today (December 1):
A 61-year-old male patient was admitted to the medical ward in CMC on November 20 for treatment of biliary sepsis. His bile culture sample was detected to have Vancomycin Resistant Enterococci (VRE) and Pseudomonas Aerugenosa on November 30. The patient is being treated under isolation and his clinical condition is stable. In accordance with the prevailing infection control guidelines, the hospital has screened the patients who stayed in the same cubicle with the index patient in the same period. It was found two more male inpatients (both aged 78) to be VRE carriers. They are under medical surveillance and isolation. The hospital will continue the screening process for other concerned patients.
There are clinical guidelines in public hospitals to ensure proper use of antibiotics, including Vancomycin and management of VRE carriers. CMC has stepped up infection control measures according to established guidelines.
The cases have been reported to the Hospital Authority Head Office and the Centre for Health Protection for follow up.
Ends/Thursday, December 1, 2011
Issued at HKT 20:51
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