Cluster of Multi-Drug Resistant Acinetobacter cases in Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     The spokesperson for Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital made the following announcement today (March 16):
 
     Twelve patients (eight males and four females, aged 29 to 98) of medical wards have been confirmed as being carriers of Multi-Drug Resistant Acinetobacter (MDRA) since March 4. Eight of them are still hospitalised and one patient has been transferred to Tung Wah Eastern Hospital. They are currently under medical surveillance and isolation treatment with stable condition. One patient had been discharged earlier and the other two patients had passed away due to underlying disease.
 
     Following the activation of Emergency Response Level in public hospitals, visiting arrangements for the wards have been suspended. The following enhanced infection control measures have been stepped up according to established guidelines:
 

1. Enhanced cleaning and disinfection of the wards concerned;
2. Application of stringent contact precautions and enhanced hand hygiene for staff and patients; and
3. Enhanced patient and environmental screening procedures.

     The cases have been reported to the Hospital Authority Head Office and the Centre for Health Protection for necessary follow-up. The hospital will continue to closely monitor the conditions of other patients in the wards.