Cluster of Vancomycin Resistant Enterococci cases at Shatin Hospital
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The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority.
The spokesperson for Shatin Hospital (SH) made the following announcement today (September 23):
A 73-year-old female patient with a recent hospitalisation in a medical and geriatrics ward of SH was confirmed to be infected with Vancomycin Resistant Enterococci (VRE) at Prince of Wales Hospital on September 14. In accordance with prevailing infection control guidelines, SH has conducted contact tracing. Six more female patients (aged 62 to 94) were found to be VRE carriers. Three patients have been discharged and the remaining three patients are currently being treated in isolation. All patients are in stable condition.
The following enhanced infection control measures have already been adopted in the ward concerned:
1. isolation of VRE cases and application of stringent contact precautions;
2. enhanced environmental cleaning and disinfection; and
3. enhanced hand hygiene for staff and patients.
The hospital will continue the enhanced infection control measures and closely monitor the situation 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.