Cluster of Vancomycin Resistant Enterococci cases at Tuen Mun Hospital

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:
 
     The spokesperson for Tuen Mun Hospital (TMH) made the following announcement today (June 16):

     A 92-year-old female patient in an Orthopaedic and Traumatology ward of TMH was confirmed as Vancomycin Resistant Enterococci (VRE) carrier on June 14. In accordance with the prevailing infection control guidelines, the hospital has screened patients who had contact with the index patient. Three more female patients (aged 59 to 91) were confirmed to be VRE carriers without clinical symptoms. All patients are still hospitalised with stable condition.

     The concerned ward has adopted the following enhanced infection control measures:

     1.   Enhanced hand hygiene and stringent contact precautions have been applied;
     2.   Enhanced attention to contamination-prone procedures; and
     3.   Enhanced disinfection and cleansing of the concerned ward.
      
     The cases have been reported to the Hospital Authority Head Office and the Centre for Health Protection for necessary follow up.