Additionally, individuals with Covid-19 might have a prior history of asthma upon hospital admission. Healthcare providers could have prescribed broad-spectrum drugs due to concerns about potential co-infections.
Dr. Raymond Lai noted a rise in patients affected by two types of multidrug-resistant organisms. An image of Michelle Wong is included.
However, he clarified that apart from VRE and Candida infections, the prevalence of common pathogens had returned to pre-pandemic levels after a decrease in Covid-19 cases this year.
Microorganisms known as MDROs or superbugs have developed resistance to specific antibiotics and antifungals due to overuse and improper administration of these medications.
An analysis of 100 samples from patients in public hospitals in the first three quarters of the year revealed a 44.7% antibiotic resistance rate for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), a prevalent drug-resistant bacterium. Annually, approximately 9,500 new cases of MRSA are reported.
Could the establishment of a fourth medical college in Hong Kong help alleviate the city’s healthcare shortage?
During the same period, VRE, another significant concern, showed an antimicrobial resistance rate of 1.2%, compared to 0.22% in 2021 and 0.7% in 2020.
By late September this year, the number of individuals with VRE had increased to about 140, up from under 40 in 2021.
As of October 31 this year, the count of patients with Candida auris surpassed 300, up from around 200 in 2020. The first cases of this infection were reported in the city in 2019. Lai estimates that 10% of those affected by the fungus will develop severe illnesses, with a mortality rate ranging from 53% to 83%.
Lai emphasized the importance of concentrating efforts on controlling these three pathogens this year.
Managing MDROs within healthcare facilities is crucial, he stressed, highlighting the adverse effects of these organisms. This is primarily due to limitations on the range of antibiotics and antifungals available for treating infected individuals.
Individuals with weakened immune systems who acquire these infections are at risk of severe complications or even fatality.
The private healthcare sector in Hong Kong is preparing to introduce the RSV vaccination in December.
Lai announced the launch of a pilot program in January next year at Prince of Wales Hospital in Sha Tin and Princess Margaret Hospital in Kwai Chung, utilizing AI technology to analyze scientific data and determine the necessity of medications for patient care.
The program will initially focus on a specific type of antibiotic before expanding to 17 community clinics in disaster-prone areas starting in March, covering eight additional categories of medications.
Lai mentioned that current hospital practices rely on a team of healthcare professionals to decide on the need for antibiotics in treatment.
“We depend on experts to identify the specific bacterium causing the infection and assess the necessity of potent medications,” he stated.
If unnecessary, patients will be referred to medical microbiology or infectious disease specialists for further evaluation and recommendations for less potent antibiotics.
The implementation of AI will streamline the process, enabling prompt feedback to physicians regarding the appropriateness of medication usage the following day.
AI technology will be utilized in the aviation project to assess the requirement for antibiotic treatment. Felix Wong is featured in the image.
In efforts to combat the spread of Covid-19 in the community, proactive measures have been taken to detect Candida among high-risk individuals before hospital admission and among residents of elderly care facilities upon discharge, alongside heightened infection control protocols in hospitals, he added.
Lai urged the public to uphold personal hygiene, emphasizing that superbugs are typically transmitted through direct or indirect contact.
He highlighted that transmission can occur through contact with carriers or in unsanitary environments, such as a patient’s bedside.
It is crucial for the general public to prioritize hand hygiene, avoid sharing personal items like towels in public settings, and cover any wounds to prevent infections.
Individuals should strictly adhere to their healthcare provider’s instructions when taking medications, he advised.
