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The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:
The spokesperson for Kowloon Hospital (KH) made the following announcement today (May 14):
An 85-year-old male patient admitted to a rehabilitation ward at KH earlier due to chest infection was confirmed to be a Vancomycin Resistant Enterococci (VRE) carrier on May 4. In accordance with the prevailing infection control guidelines, the hospital has screened patients who had contact with the index patient. Ten male patients (aged 44 to 90) have been confirmed to be VRE carriers, but without clinical symptoms. Eight of the patients are hospitalised at KH and the other two had been transferred to Queen Elizabeth Hospital for further rehabilitation treatment. All the patients are under medical surveillance and isolation with stable condition.
The Hospital Infection Control Team, the department concerned and experts of the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) 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 organisms;
2. Hydrogen Peroxide Vapor disinfection for commonly used equipment is being arranged;
3. Stringent contact precautions have been applied, including dedicated use of clinical items for VRE carriers and enhanced hand hygiene;
4. All VRE carriers are being treated in isolation rooms or cohorts according to their clinical symptoms and treatment needs; and
5. Visiting is limited to two people per patient during each visiting period.
The cases have been reported to the Hospital Authority Head Office and the CHP for necessary follow-up. The Hospital Infection Control Team will continue to closely monitor the situation of the ward.
Ends/Tuesday, May 14, 2013
Issued at HKT 19:38
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