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Cluster of Vancomycin Resistant Enterococci cases in Queen Elizabeth Hospital
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The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     The spokesperson for Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH) made the following announcement today (January 14):

     A 76-year-old male patient admitted to a surgical ward and intensive care unit at QEH earlier due to chronic duodenal ulcer with perforation was confirmed to be a Vancomycin Resistant Enterococci (VRE) carrier on January 4.  In accordance with the prevailing infection control guidelines, the hospital has screened patients who had contact with the index patient. Four male patients (aged 41 to 96) have been confirmed to be VRE carriers, all without clinical symptoms. Two of the patients are hospitalised at QEH and the other two had been transferred to Kowloon Hospital for further rehabilitation treatment. All the patients are under medical surveillance and isolation with stable condition.

     The cases have been reported to the Hospital Authority Head Office and the Centre for Health Protection for necessary follow up.

     The Hospital Infection Control Team, the department concerned and experts of the Centre for Health Protection had a meeting today and the following enhanced infection control measures have already been adopted:

1. A dedicated cleansing team has been set up to enhance environmental cleansing for patients carrying multiple-drug resistant organism;
2. Hydrogen Peroxide Vapor disinfection for commonly-used equipment is to be arranged;
3. Stringent contact precautions have been applied, including dedicated use of clinical items to VRE carriers, enhanced hand hygiene ;
4. All VRE carriers are being treated in isolation rooms or cohort according to their clinical symptoms and treatment needs; and
5. Visiting is limited to two people per patient during each visiting period.

     The Hospital Infection Control Team will continue to closely monitor the situation of the ward.

Ends/Monday, January 14, 2013
Issued at HKT 20:14

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