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The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:
The spokesperson for Caritas Medical Centre (CMC) made the following announcement today (April 3):
An 82-year-old male surgical patient in CMC was confirmed to be infected with Vancomycin Resistant Enterococci (VRE) on March 26. In accordance with the prevailing infection control guidelines, the hospital has screened patients who had contact with the index patient. A total of six more male patients (aged 51 to 86) were confirmed to be VRE carriers. The seven patients are under medical surveillance and isolation with stable condition.
The following enhanced measures have already been adopted:
1. Disinfection and cleansing of the ward concerned have been enhanced;
2. Stringent contact precautions have been applied, including dedicated use of clinical items for the VRE carriers and enhanced hand hygiene;
3. All VRE carriers are under medical surveillance in isolation rooms; and
4. Restricted visiting to the ward concerned is imposed.
The hospital will continue to closely monitor the situation of the wards. The cases have been reported to the Hospital Authority Head Office and the Centre for Health Protection for necessary follow-up.
Ends/Wednesday, April 3, 2013
Issued at HKT 19:36
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