Princess Margaret Hospital announces case of Candida auris
**********************************************************
The spokesperson for Princess Margaret Hospital (PMH) made the following announcement today (June 27):
A 48-year-old male patient was admitted to PMH on May 19 with the diagnosis of pulmonary embolism. He was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit and then the Medical and Geriatric Ward. His respiratory specimen was confirmed as carrying Candida auris on June 24, while the patient did not have signs of infections. He had travelled to Switzerland before admission. The patient is now being treated in the Hospital Authority Infectious Disease Centre under isolation with stable condition. In accordance with the prevailing guidelines, PMH has commenced contact tracing for the patient.
The Hospital Infection Control Team has reported the case to the Hospital Authority Head Office and the Centre for Health Protection (CHP). After discussion with the departments concerned and experts of the CHP, the following enhanced infection control measures have already been adopted:
- Thorough cleaning and disinfection of the wards concerned;
- Enhanced patient and environmental screening procedures; and
- Application of stringent contact precautions and enhanced hand hygiene for staff and patients.
The hospital will continue to closely monitor the situation of the patient as well as follow up on the case with the departments concerned and the CHP.
Ends/Thursday, June 27, 2019
Issued at HKT 19:56
Issued at HKT 19:56
NNNN