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The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:
The spokeperson for North District Hospital made the following announcement today(January 17):
A 70-year-old male patient of a medical ward was confirmed to be Vancomycin Resistant Enterococci (VRE) carriers on January 7. In accordance with the prevailing infection control guidelines, the hospital has screened patients who had contact with the index patients. Six more male patients (aged 53 to 91) have been confirmed to be VRE carriers, all without clinical symptoms. Among these seven patients, six are still hospitalised under medical surveillance and isolation with stable condition while the remaining one patient has been discharged.
In addition, a 84-year-old male patient of a surgical ward was confirmed to be Vancomycin Resistant Enterococci (VRE) carriers on January 14. In accordance with the prevailing infection control guidelines, the hospital has screened patients who had contact with the index patients. Two more male patients (aged 52 and 56) have been confirmed to be VRE carriers, all without clinical symptoms. Among these three patients, two are still hospitalised under medical surveillance and isolation with stable condition while the remaining one patient has been discharged.
The following enhanced infection control measures have already been adopted in the wards:
1. Disinfection and environmental cleansing have been enhanced; and
2. Stringent contact precautions have been applied, including dedicated use of clinical items for VRE carriers, enhanced hand hygiene.
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 wards.
Ends/Friday, January 17, 2014
Issued at HKT 20:36
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