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The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:
The spokesperson for Tung Wah Eastern Hospital (TWEH) made the following announcement today (July 19):
A 97-year-old male patient who had earlier been admitted to a geriatric ward of TWEH was confirmed to be a Vancomycin Resistant Enterococci (VRE) carrier on July 11, but without clinical symptoms. He passed away on July 6 due to underlying illness. In accordance with the prevailing infection control guidelines, screening of contacts has been performed. Three more male in-patients (aged 80 to 93) were confirmed as VRE carriers but without clinical symptoms. Two of them are still hospitalised and under medical surveillance with stable condition while the remaining patient has been discharged.
The following enhanced infection control measures have already been adopted:
1. Cleansing and disinfection of the ward concerned have been enhanced;
2. Single room or cohorting has been arranged for high-risk cases;
3. Stringent contact precautions have been applied, including dedicated use of clinical items for the VRE carriers and enhanced hand hygiene; and
4. Focusing more closely on contamination-prone procedures.
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/Friday, July 19, 2013
Issued at HKT 19:16
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