************************************************************
The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:
The spokesperson for Caritas Medical Centre made the following announcement today (October 10):
An 81-year-old male inpatient of the Medicine and Geriatrics Rehabilitation ward was confirmed to be a carrier of Vancomycin Resistant Enterococci (VRE) on October 9. In accordance with the prevailing infection control guidelines, the hospital has screened patients who had contact with the index patient. Three more male patients (aged 82 to 92) were confirmed to be VRE carriers without clinical symptoms. All patients are under medical surveillance and isolation with stable condition.
The following enhanced infection control measures have already been adopted:
1. Enhancement of disinfection and cleansing of the ward concerned; and
2. Enforcing stringent contact precautions including dedicated use of clinical items for the VRE carriers and enhanced hand hygiene.
The hospital will continue to closely monitor the situation of the ward. The cases have been reported to the Hospital Authority Head Office and the Centre for Health Protection for necessary follow-up.
Ends/Thursday, October 10, 2013
Issued at HKT 18:32
NNNN
