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The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:
Regarding an earlier announcement on the confirmation of some neurosurgical in-patients as carriers of Vancomycin Resistant Enterococci (VRE), the spokesperson for Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH) made the following update today (January 4):
In accordance with the prevailing infection control guidelines, screening of contacts has been performed. One more 62-year-old male neurosurgical patient has been confirmed as a VRE carrier without clinical symptoms. The patient is now under isolation treatment and is in stable condition.
The case has been reported to the Hospital Authority Head Office and the Centre for Health Protection for necessary follow-up.
The following enhanced infection control measures have been adopted after discussion between the Hospital Infection Control Team, the department concerned and experts of the Centre for Health Protection.
1. All VRE carriers are being treated in isolation rooms or cohorts according to their clinical symptoms and treatment needs;
2. Visiting is limited to two people per patient during each visiting period; and
3. Stringent contact precautions have been applied, including dedicated use of clinical items to VRE carriers, enhanced hand hygiene and environmental hygiene.
The Hospital Infection Control Team will continue to closely monitor the situation of the ward.
Ends/Friday, January 4, 2013
Issued at HKT 18:54
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