The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:
The spokesperson for Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH) made the following announcement today (October 20):
An 86-year-old female patient in a surgical ward of QEH was confirmed to be carrying Vancomycin Resistant Enterococci (VRE) on October 11 without signs of infection. She has been transferred to Kowloon Hospital (KH) for isolation treatment.
In accordance with the prevailing infection control guidelines, the hospital has conducted a contact tracing investigation. Eight more female patients (aged from 50 to 86) in the same ward were found to be VRE carriers and asymptomatic. Three of these patients are now being treated in isolation and are in stable condition, two patients have been transferred to KH for further isolation treatment. The three remaining patients have recovered and were discharged.
The ward concerned has adopted the following enhanced infection control measures:
- Enhanced patient and environmental screening procedures;
- Application of stringent contact precautions and enhanced hand hygiene for staff and patients; and
- Enhanced cleaning and disinfection of the wards concerned.
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.
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