HOSPITALS are keeping a close watch on their infection control measures, after news broke that the Singapore General Hospital (SGH) has been hit by a drug-resistant strain of bacteria.
The hospital had announced on Friday that it was cancelling all non-emergency surgeries for two weeks, because 15 patients have tested positive for the vancomycin resistant enterococci (VRE) bacteria since March 9.
SingHealth, which manages SGH, said that its two other hospitals, Changi General and KK Women's and Children's, have also been told to step up on its hygiene vigilance. For instance, visitors and health-care workers are to wash their hands before and after visiting and handling patients.
In addition, patients who are being transferred to KKH from other hospitals will first be isolated, to make sure they do not have VRE when they are sent to the general wards.
National Health Group hospitals will also isolate patients who have been transferred from SGH to their hospitals after March 1. Patients with low immunity, such as those suffering from cancer, will also get more attention as they are more prone to infection.
At SGH, it was business as usual yesterday, with people visiting friends and loved ones, and patients still going to the Accident and Emergency department.
Those interviewed said they were not worried, and were confident that all was under control.
'I don't think there's any cause for alarm,' said a 50-year-old man, who gave his name only as Mr Poh. He was waiting for his mother to be admitted.
He said he had read about the bug in the papers, but was confident that the situation was under control. 'The system in Singapore is transparent and from what I read, it does not sound very serious,' he added.
His sentiment was echoed by 40-year-old Mr Tan, who said he was not worried about the bacteria and had sent his mother to SGH because 'her medical records are here'. 'The hospital has dealt with Sars before and I'm confident that they have taken the necessary precautions.'
Only one out of the 15 patients at SGH has been infected - a diabetic who has had a leg amputated. The other 14 turned out to be carriers and had no symptoms of the infection.
SGH is testing another 933 patients who may have come into contact with the bug. No new cases have been detected so far.
The hospital has said the bacteria is not airborne and is transmitted only through physical contact. It is generally harmless in healthy people and poses a threat only to those with weak immune systems.