Hospital confirms infections by drug-resistant bacteria

Public hospitals have been urged to report cases of bacterial infections after the Haven of Hope Hospital yesterday confirmed that every month, an average of 11 of its patients had been infected by drug-resistant bacteria during their stay.

Responding to a newspaper report, the hospital said last night that of the monthly average of about 25 patients who sought treatment for such infections every month, almost half had actually been infected during treatment for another ailment.

'There were no complications or mortality due to infection by these organisms,' the hospital said in a statement. The hospital said it had established measures to monitor such infections and prevent cross-infection within the hospital.

A spokesman for the Hospital Authority said: 'Hospital-acquired infections are not uncommon. There have been some cases in the past. The Haven of Hope Hospital said there does not seem to be a surge in such cases.'

On average, about 15 of the infected patients were sickened by a bacteria known as ESBL, with nine of those contracting the infection at Haven of Hope.

A further 10 patients on average were infected by methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus, or MRSA, with one to two cases acquired in hospital, the hospital statement said last night.