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The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:
The spokesperson for Tuen Mun Hospital (TMH) made the following announcement today (July 13):
A 69-year-old male patient admitted to the surgical ward of TMH was confirmed to have infection of Vancomycin Resistant Enterococci (VRE) on July 11. He has been transferred to the isolation ward for further treatment and observation and is in stable condition. In accordance with prevailing infection control guidelines, the hospital has screened the patients staying in the same ward and found three more male patients (aged 60 to 83) to be carriers without showing symptoms. Among the three patients, one succumbed yesterday because of his own underlying illness, while the other two have been transferred to the isolation ward and are in stable condition.
There are clinical guidelines in public hospitals to ensure proper use of antibiotics, including Vancomycin, and management of VRE carriers. The hospital has stepped up the infection control measures according to established guidelines and is closely monitoring patients' health.
The cases have been reported to the Hospital Authority Head Office and the Centre for Health Protection for follow up.
Ends/Friday, July 13, 2012
Issued at HKT 20:20
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