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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 (November 26):
A 77-year-old male patient was admitted to a Medicine and Geriatrics ward of TMH on November 18, and had undergone Vancomycin Resistant Enterococci (VRE) targeted screening during his admission. He was then confirmed to be a VRE carrier on November 20. The patient has been transferred to isolation ward for medical surveillance. He is now in stable condition.
In accordance with the prevailing infection control guidelines, the hospital has screened patients who had contact with the index patient. Four more male patients (aged 58 to 82) were confirmed as VRE carriers, but without clinical symptoms. Among the four patients, three are still hospitalised under medical surveillance and isolation, with stable condition. The remaining patient has been discharged.
The concerned Medical and Geriatrics Ward has suspended new case admission, and the following enhanced infection control measures have already been adopted:
1. Enhanced hand hygiene and stringent contact precautions have been applied;
2. Enhanced attention to contamination-prone procedures; and
3. Enhanced disinfection and cleansing 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/Tuesday, November 26, 2013
Issued at HKT 21:35
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