***********************************************************
The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:
In response to the Investigation Report of the Hospital Authority Special Investigation Panel on the recent medical incident of chemotherapy in Prince of Wales Hospital (PWH), a hospital spokesperson gave the following response:
The Prince of Wales Hospital accepted the recommendations made in the report of the Special Investigation Panel.
After the incident, the hospital had immediately implemented the following measures to enhance the relevant operating procedures:
ƒÞ
* Prescribe, prepare, dispense and administer cytotoxic medication only by specially trained and designated oncology staff
ƒÞ
* Use separate prescription sheets for prescribing intravenous vincristine and intrathecal chemotherapy
ƒÞ
* The clinician administering intrathecal chemotherapy must be familiar with the patient and with the chemotherapy protocol
ƒÞ
* Use a formal checking procedure, involving a nurse or doctor who has received training about cancer chemotherapy, to ensure that correct administration of chemotherapy drug
ƒÞ
* Use specifically designated containers for both transportation of intrathecal drugs from the pharmacy and for storage
ƒÞ
* Package separately and label clearly on the containers for intrathecal drugs
ƒÞ
* Administer intrathcal drugs at a different time from other systemically administered drugs
ƒÞ
* Prepare vincristine in a small-volume intravenous bag for administration to adult and older children
ƒÞ
* Clearly label the warning wordings on the bag and on the outer container for vincristine
Prince of Wales Hospital will further review the other recommendations of the Special Investigation Panel and work out the improvement measures as soon as possible. The hospital continues to suspend all clinical duties of the concerned staff and would follow up in accordance with the Hospital Authority human resources policy.
Ends/Friday, August 24, 2007
Issued at HKT 19:00
NNNN
