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The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:
The spokesperson of North District Hospital (NDH) made the following announcement regarding a medication incident today (August 28):
On August 19, a nurse of Medical Ward, who should have injected normal saline to a 50-year-old female patient suffering from terminal breast cancer, injected 2.5mg of oral morphine to the patient by mistake. The patient used to take oral morphine for pain control. This was discovered during the visiting hour and was reported to the duty physician. The patient was examined by the doctor immediately. She was conscious and the vital signs were normal. While confirming that she did not suffer from adverse effects, the doctor immediately explained the situation to her family. She was given antibiotics for prophylaxis and was being closely monitored.
NDH reported the incident to the Hospital Authority Head Office (HAHO) through the Advance Incident Reporting System on the following day. Senior doctors, a ward manager and patient relation officer also met the family again to explain the situation and extended the hospital's apology.
The patient was stable all along and there was no evidence that the incident had caused any adverse outcome or bacterial infection in the patient. Unfortunately, patient deteriorated in the late evening on August 25. Despite resuscitation, she succumbed in the morning of August 26.
The hospital management was very concerned about the incident and noted that it was caused by human error. Preliminary information showed that some nursing staff members have failed to follow established medication administration guidelines.
NDH has counselled the concerned staff members and will monitor their performance. NDH will maintain close contact with the family to provide the necessary assistance. The hospital has also set up an independent panel to conduct an indepth investigation into the incident. The investigation report will be submitted to the New Territories East Hospital Cluster and HAHO. Appropriate disciplinary action will be implemented according to the human resources policy and based on the investigation results.
The case has been referred to the coroner for follow up. NDH would like to express condolences to the family of the deceased patient.
Ends/Friday, August 28, 2009
Issued at HKT 23:01
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