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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 (June 6):
Under the standard infection control surveillance mechanism of the hospital, four male patients (aged 65 to 84) in a medicine and geriatrics ward have been confirmed to have Multi-drugs Resistant Acinetobacter (MDRA) since May 21. Among the patients, two are still hospitalised under medical surveillance and isolation. One of them is in stable condition, while the other one is in critical condition due to his underlying disease. The other two patients had passed away earlier due to their underlying disease.
Acinetobacter is a bacterium 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 hand hygiene and environmental cleaning, can reduce the risk of transmission.
The following enhanced infection and cleansing measures have already been adopted:
1.Enhanced disinfection and cleansing of the ward concerned;
2.Application of stringent contact precautions, including use of dedicated clinical equipment for MRA carriers and enhanced hand hygiene; and
3.Enhanced 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, June 6, 2014
Issued at HKT 18:54
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