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The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:
The spokesperson for Ruttonjee and Tang Shiu Kin Hospitals made the following announcement today (May 16):
Four patients (aged 75 to 99) in a male geriatric ward of Ruttonjee Hospital were confirmed to be carriers of Multiple-drugs Resistant Acinetobacter (MDRA) since May 2. Among them, two are still hospitalised under medical surveillance and isolation with stable condition while the other two have been discharged.
Acinetobacter is a bacteria which is commonly found in water and soil. It can also colonise or live in a patient without causing infection or symptoms. Acinetobacter poses very little risk to healthy people and does not cause disease most of the time. However, it may sometimes cause disease in patients with weakened immune systems. Effective antibiotics are available for treatment. Careful attention to infection control procedures, such as hygiene and environmental cleaning, can reduce the risk of transmission.
The following enhanced infection and cleaning measures have already been adopted:
1. Enhancing disinfection and cleaning of the ward concerned;
2. Applying stringent contact precautions, including use of dedicated clinical equipment for MDRA carriers and enhanced hand hygiene; and
3. Enhancing attention to contamination-prone procedures.
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 ward.
Ends/Friday, May 16, 2014
Issued at HKT 19:04
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