************************************************************
The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:
The spokesperson for Pok Oi Hospital made the following announcement today (May 22):
A 92-year-old female patient in a Medicine and Geriatrics Ward of Pok Oi Hospital was confirmed as a Vancomycin Resistant Enterococci (VRE) carrier on May 13. In accordance with the prevailing infection control guidelines, the hospital has screened patients who had contact with the index patient. Four female patients (aged 64 to 86) who had stayed in the same ward were confirmed to be VRE carriers, including a 67-year-old patient with urinary infection symptoms. Two of the patients have been discharged and the remaining patients are still hospitalised under isolation and medical surveillance in stable condition.
The Medical and Geriatrics Ward concerned has adopted the following enhanced infection control measures:
1. Enhanced hand hygiene and stringent contact precautions;
2. Enhanced attention to contamination-prone procedures; and
3. Enhanced disinfection and cleaning of the ward concerned.
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 of the ward.
Ends/Friday, May 22, 2015
Issued at HKT 18:58
NNNN
