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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 (March 5):
A 90-year-old female patient admitted to the Department of Surgery at QEH earlier due to a fall was confirmed to be a Vancomycin Resistant Enterococci (VRE) carrier on March 1. In accordance with the prevailing infection control guidelines, the hospital has screened patients who had contact with the index patient. Three female patients (aged 42 to 86) have been confirmed as VRE carriers, all without clinical symptoms. Three of the patients are still hospitalised at QEH in stable condition and under medical surveillance and isolation. The remaining patient has been discharged.
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 held 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 organisms;
2. Hydrogen Peroxide Vapor disinfection for commonly used equipment is to be arranged;
3. Stringent contact precautions have been applied, including the dedicated use of clinical items to VRE carriers and 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/Tuesday, March 5, 2013
Issued at HKT 19:33
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