Cluster of Vancomycin Resistant Enterococci and Multi-drug Resistant Acinetobacter cases in Tuen Mun Hospital
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The spokesperson for Tuen Mun Hospital (TMH) made the following announcement today (January 31):
An 88-year-old male patient in a medical and geriatrics ward of TMH was confirmed to carry Vancomycin Resistant Enterococci (VRE) on January 19.
In accordance with the prevailing infection control guidelines, the hospital has conducted contact tracing for the index patient. Seven more male patients (aged 45 to 90) were found to be VRE carriers but without clinical symptoms. Among the patients, one patient had passed away due to his underlying disease and the other patients are being treated under isolation in the hospital and are in stable condition.
In addition, three male patients (aged 22 to 62) in an orthopaedic and traumatology ward had been confirmed as carriers of Multi-drug Resistant Acinetobacter since January 24. Among them, a 62-year-old patient had passed away earlier due to his underlying disease. The other patients are currently hospitalised under isolation and are in stable condition.
The wards concerned have adopted the following enhanced infection control measures:
1. Enhanced hand hygiene and stringent contact precautions;
2. Enhanced attention to contamination-prone procedures;
3. Enhanced disinfection and cleaning of the concerned ward; and
4. Enhanced patient and environmental screening procedures.
The hospital will continue the enhanced infection control measures and closely monitor the situation of the ward. The cases have been reported to the Hospital Authority Head Office and the Centre for Health Protection for necessary follow-up.
Ends/Monday, January 31, 2022
Issued at HKT 20:00
Issued at HKT 20:00
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