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The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:
The spokesperson for Tung Wah Group of Hospitals Wong Tai Sin Hospital (WTSH) made the following update today (March 13) regarding an earlier announcement on a cluster of patients infected with Clostridium Difficile in a convalescence ward:
Two more male patients (aged 77 and 88) in the ward concerned were confirmed as having Clostridium Difficile-associated diarrhoea. One of the patients is being treated under isolation and is in stable condition. The other succumbed on March 11 due to his underlying disease.
Admission to the ward concerned has been suspended. Restricted visiting to the ward concerned has been imposed. Infection control measures have already been stepped up according to established guidelines. All other patients in the ward concerned are under close surveillance.
The cases have been reported to the Hospital Authority Head Office and the Centre for Health Protection for necessary follow-up.
Clostridium Difficile is the most frequently identified cause of hospital-acquired diarrhoea, which may range from mild diarrhoea to much more severe disease. Common risk factors for Clostridium Difficile-associated diarrhoea (CDAD) include prior use of broad spectrum antibiotics, old age, prolonged hospitalisation and severe underlying disease. Treatment of CDAD consists of discontinuation of the offending agent and prompt, appropriate antimicrobial therapy.
Ends/Wednesday, March 13, 2013
Issued at HKT 19:26
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