***********************************************************
The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:
The spokesperson for Kwong Wah Hospital made the following announcement today (June 24):
A 77-year-old male patient in a medical ward was confirmed to be a Vancomycin Resistant Enterococci (VRE) carrier on June 21. In accordance with the prevailing infection control guidelines, the hospital has screened patients who had contact with the index patient and today confirmed that 11 male patients (aged 49 to 87) have been confirmed to be VRE carriers, all without clinical symptoms. Among the 11 patients, nine of them are still hospitalised and are now under medical surveillance and isolation with stable condition. The remaining two patients have 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 this afternoon and the following enhanced infection control 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 to 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 ward.
Ends/Monday, June 24, 2013
Issued at HKT 18:59
NNNN
