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The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:
A spokesperson of Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH) announced the following medical incident today (3 October 2007):
Urological procedures through cystoscope were performed on four male patients (aged 70 to 89) yesterday (October 2). After the procedures, it was found that the cystoscope that was used in the procedures might have been contaminated in the sterilising process.
An ultrasound probe before and after use in the Brain Abscess surgery for a 25-years-old male neurosurgical patient was mistakenly rinsed in the sterilised water for cystoscope and caused contamination.
To rule out the possibility of the neurosurgical patient bearing infectious diseases that could be transmitted through body fluids and blood, blood test was immediately arranged for him. Antibiotics were prescribed for the four affected surgical patients as preventive treatment. The test results of the neurosurgical patient last night showed no irregularities. The risk of the four surgical patients being infected was low. All of the patients are now hospitalised under close observation and in stable condition. The ncident hs been explained to the patients and relatives and the hospitalˇ¦s apologies were conveyed.
After the incident, the departments concerned immediately reported the case to the hospital management and Hospital Authority (HA) according to the HA Sentinel Event Policy. A thorough record search was done and concluded that there was no other patient being affected. The hospital has set up an investigation team chaired by the Deputy Hospital Chief Executive with the Department Operations Manager (Operating Theatre) of United Christian Hospital, Infection Control expert and a Ward Manager of Operating Theatre of QEH as team members. The completed investigation report will be submitted to HAHO.
QEH is highly concerned about the case and immediate improvement measures have already been taken to avoid recurrence in the future, including enhancing labeling system of the sterilised materials, strengthening of staff supervision and fostering staff alertness on related guidelines. The staff involved in the incident has been appropriately counselled and supported.
Ends/Wednesday, October 3, 2007
Issued at HKT 20:05
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