Measures will be adopted to help elderly care homes enhance their competency in infection control.

This was the message from the Health, Welfare & Food Bureau today in response to the findings of reports on the norovirus outbreak at Shui Oi Convalescent Home.

Submitted by the Social Welfare Department and the Department of Health, the reports indicated that awareness and skills in infection control in elderly homes can still fall short of expectations, particularly during a crisis.

The norovirus outbreak in Shui Oi in early September affected 14 of the 31 residents and four staff.

Principal findings

After studying the report findings, the bureau concluded that:

* the improper handling of the vomit and insufficient disinfection of the vomit-infected areas by staff were the principal outbreak causes;

* the closure of toilet facilities, which severely tested the crisis management capability of Shui Oi, was a contributing factor. The lack of alertness and inadequate knowledge on infection control of Shui Oi, and its failure to report promptly the closure of the toilet facilities to the Social Welfare Department exacerbated the problems by preventing timely intervention by the two departments;

* as the licensing authority, the Social Welfare Department could have monitored the developments of the events more aggressively in consultation with the Department of Health when the closure of the toilet facilities first came to its notice; and,

* the relocation exercise was conducted smoothly in full consultation with the elderly residents and their families.

Room for improvement

After a thorough review, the bureau found the existing measures generally effective in helping and monitoring elderly home in infection control. However, it is possible to make further improvements.

For individual care homes found not meeting standards on infection control and crisis management through regular monitoring, the departments will conduct joint visits to identify follow-up actions required, including training for care home staff.

The Social Welfare Department will step up training on infection control and crisis management for its staff. It will also work with the Department of Health to facilitate closer collaboration between the two departments to tackle sanitation and infection control problems in care homes.

It will tighten the requirement for timely reporting of outbreaks by imposing sanctions for non-compliance with the Code of Practice for Residential Homes (Elderly Persons). It is now reviewing the code in consultation with concerned parties.

Shui Oi has completed rectification measures and can resume operations on October 18.

The Director of Social Welfare will reduce the number of places purchased from the home under the Enhanced Bought Place Scheme from November 1, having taken into account the condition of the home after refurbishment, and the personal preference and well-being of the residents. The purchase agreement will be reviewed every six months.