Cluster of Clostridium difficile toxin cases in Caritas Medical Centre

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     The spokesperson for Caritas Medical Centre (CMC) made the following announcement today (February 26):
 
     Three male patients (aged 82 to 89) in the Rehabilitation Ward of the Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology have presented with diarrhoea since February 20 and their clinical test results were positive for Clostridium difficile. The three patients are currently being treated under isolation with stable condition.
 
     The hospital has already implemented a series of infection control measures in the ward concerned, including:
 
1. Enhanced disinfection and cleaning of the ward concerned;
2. Reinforced stringent contact precautions; and
3. Enhanced hand hygiene for staff and patients. 
 
     The hospital will 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.