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The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:
The spokesperson for Haven of Hope Hospital made the following announcement today (November 7):
An 82-year-old male patient of a pulmonary ward was confirmed to be a Vancomycin Resistant Enterococci (VRE) carrier on November 2. In accordance with the prevailing infection control guidelines, the hospital screened patients who had contact with the index patient. Six more male patients (aged 76 to 85) have been confirmed to be VRE carriers but without clinical symptoms. All the patients are still hospitalised under medical surveillance and isolation with stable condition.
The following enhanced infection control measures have already been adopted:
1. Stringent contact precautions have been applied, including use of dedicated clinical equipment for VRE carriers;
2. Enhanced hand hygiene;
3. Enhanced attention to contamination-prone procedures; and
4. Enhanced disinfection and cleaning of the ward concerned.
The cases have been reported to the Hospital Authority Head Office and the Centre for Health Protection for necessary follow-up. The hospital will continue to closely monitor the situation of the ward.
Ends/Thursday, November 7, 2013
Issued at HKT 18:21
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