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The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:
Following up on the clinical treatment of an injured person at a traffic accident in Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH), the spokesperson of QEH made the following response today (June 14):
A 25 year-old female patient who was injured in a traffic accident was admitted to the Accident and Emergency Department at about 0.10am yesterday (June 13). The patient was injured with severe pelvic fracture, unstable blood pressure and required intubation. She was in critical condition. Emergency operations in regards to her orthopedic and surgical trauma including embolisation of bleeding vessels were done. She was transferred to the Intensive Care Unit at around 6am, where platelets, fresh frozen plasma and blood were transfused to correct massive blood loss. Her condition remained critical. She was under close monitoring, active treatment and consistent assessment by multi-specialty team of doctors.
At around noon, her bleeding was still not controlled. The doctor explained to the patient relatives about the proposed use of a drug "Novo Seven", classified as a Special Drug for control of bleeding. The benefits, risks and the fee of the drug were explained. The drug in question was licensed for control of bleeding in haemophilia patients only. The use in uncontrolled bleeding was outside the usual indication but could be helpful to this patient and hence the doctor proposed to the relatives for their choice. The relatives paid the drug fees at around 3pm. The drug was administered later. The patient was constantly under close monitoring and the relatives were updated of her condition from time to time.
Last night, the hospital took the discretionary decision to refund the payment on the special drug under the consideration of the hospital's first priority in saving lives, regardless of a person's financial position. Refund process had been arranged this morning (June 14). The Hospital Chief Executive and doctor in-charge of the case, while accompanying Yau Tsim Mong District Officer and the District Council Vice-Chairman, met the relatives in this evening to express our care and explain the prospective treatment. The hospital conveyed apology to the relatives for any confusion raised from the incident. The patient is still in critical condition and under close monitoring. The hospital assured communication with the relatives and would offer assistance when necessary.
QEH would work with the Hospital Authority (HA) on aligning the practices and come up with a mechanism to ensure that beneficial drugs are made available in life threatening emergency situations without cost to the patient which is consistent with HA's policy.
Ends/Sunday, June 14, 2009
Issued at HKT 22:30
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