Update on cluster of Vancomycin Resistant Enterococci cases in Princess Margaret Hospital
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The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:
     Regarding an earlier announcement on a cluster of patients confirmed to be carriers of Vancomycin Resistant Enterococci (VRE), the spokesman for Princess Margaret Hospital (PMH) made the following update today (July 3):
     In accordance with the prevailing infection control guidelines, the hospital has commenced contact tracing and identified four more male patients (aged 65 to 91) to be VRE carriers without clinical symptoms. The patients are being treated under isolation in PMH and in stable condition.
     The hospital infection control team has followed up with the departments concerned and the Centre for Health Protection. The following enhanced infection control measures have already been adopted in the ward:
1. Enhanced cleaning and disinfection of the ward concerned;
2. Applied stringent contact precautions and enhanced hand hygiene of staff and patients; and
3. Enhanced patient and environmental screening procedures.
     The hospital will continue to 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.