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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 8):
A 77-year-old male patient in Medicine and Geriatrics Ward of TMH was confirmed to be a Vancomycin Resistant Enterococci (VRE) carrier on November 30. The patient has been isolated and under medical surveillance. His condition is stable.
In accordance with the prevailing infection control guidelines, the hospital has screened patients who had contact with the index patient. Four more male patients (aged 57 to 85) were confirmed as VRE carriers, but without clinical symptoms. All patients are still hospitalised under isolation and medical surveillance with stable condition.
The concerned Medicine and Geriatrics Ward has adopted 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 cleansing 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/Sunday, December 8, 2013
Issued at HKT 19:12
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