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The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:
The spokesperson for Princess Margaret Hospital (PMH) made the following announcement today (March 25):
Two newborn babies of the Special Care Baby Unit (SCBU) in PMH were confirmed to be Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA) carriers during surveillance screening on March 7 and 8 respectively. The hospital has enhanced screening in the SCBU and the Post-natal Ward since March 13 and further identified 12 newborn babies as carriers of MRSA. All babies are asymptomatic and have been discharged. The hospital has started to contact the parents to explain the situation to them.
The cases have been reported to the Hospital Authority Head Office and the Centre for Health Protection. The hospital has stepped up the following infection control measures in the wards concerned:
1. Enhanced disinfection and cleaning of the wards concerned;
2. Use of dedicated baby care equipment to avoid potential cross-transmission;
3. Staff are reminded to pay special attention to procedures with high risk of cross-transmission; and
4. Enforcing stringent compliance with hand hygiene practices among health-care workers and all mothers.
The Hospital Infection Control Team will continue to closely monitor the situation.
Ends/Tuesday, March 25, 2014
Issued at HKT 19:10
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