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The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:
The spokesperson for Tuen Mun Hospital (TMH) made the following announcement today (December 6):
A 75-year-old male patient in an Orthopaedics and Traumatology ward of TMH was confirmed to be a Vancomycin Resistant Enterococci (VRE) carrier on November 29. 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 69 to 88) were confirmed as VRE carriers, but without clinical symptoms. Among the four patients, three are still hospitalised under medical surveillance and isolation, with stable condition. The remaining one has been discharged.
The ward concerned has suspended new case admission and implemented the following enhanced infection control measures:
1. Enhanced hand hygiene and stringent contact precautions have been applied;
2. Enhanced attention to contamination-prone procedures; and
3. 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 Infection Control Team will continue to closely monitor the situation of the ward.
Ends/Friday, December 6, 2013
Issued at HKT 18:35
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