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Cluster of Vancomycin Resistant Enterococci cases in Princess Margaret Hospital
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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 (April 7):
 
     An 88-year-old male patient in a medical ward of PMH was confirmed to be a Vancomycin Resistant Enterococci (VRE) carrier on April 3. The patient later succumbed due to his own underlying illness.
 
     In accordance with prevailing infection control guidelines, the hospital has screened patients who had contact with the index patient and confirmed 11 more patients (eight male and three female, aged 39 to 74) to be VRE carriers without clinical symptoms. One patient has succumbed due to her own underlying illness, while three others were discharged earlier. The remaining patients are still hospitalised in isolation, and are under medical surveillance in a stable condition.  

     Admission to the ward has been suspended and the following infection control measures have already been stepped up:
 
1. Enhanced disinfection and cleaning of the ward;

2. Enforce stringent compliance of hand hygiene practices among health care workers and stringent contact precautions;

3. Use of dedicated clinical items for VRE carriers to avoid potential cross transmission; and

4. Patients are reminded to observe good personal hygiene, wash hands thoroughly before eating or medication and after using the toilet.
 
     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.

Ends/Monday, April 7, 2014
Issued at HKT 17:55

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