***********************************************************
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 announcement today (July 23):
A 86-year-old female patient in a convalescence ward of WTSH was confirmed to be Vancomycin Resistant Enterococci (VRE) carrier on July 17. In accordance with the prevailing infection control guidelines, contact tracing has been performed. Five more female patients (aged 72 to 95) in a convalescence ward were found to be Vancomycin Resistant Enterococci (VRE) carriers without clinical symptoms. Among the six cases, four of the patients are still hospitalised and 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, enhanced hand hygiene; and
3. All VRE carriers are under medical surveillance and isolation.
The Hospital will continue to closely monitor the situation of the ward.
Ends/Tuesday, July 23, 2013
Issued at HKT 20:12
NNNN
