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The Acting Secretary for Food and Health, Professor Gabriel Leung, today (September 22) stressed that healthcare workers should always strictly observe the relevant procedures and guidelines to ensure correct administration of drugs for patients.
He made the remarks after learning that the Hospital Authority (HA) Head Office had received the report from Prince of Wales Hospital (PWH) on the death of a female patient after taking wrongly dispensed anti-hypertensive and diabetes drugs in PWH in July.
Professor Leung said, "There was a communication breakdown between the admission resident doctor and the house officer. In addition, the house officer had not complied with guidelines on checking patient identity resulting in duplicated prescriptions. HA and hospital management should thoroughly study the report and actively follow up on the recommendations. Documentation of patient care and handling of print-outs of Electronic Patient Record should be improved so as to prevent recurrence of a similar nature."
He offers his deepest condolences again to the deceased's family.
"Public confidence in the HA's services will no doubt be affected as a result of the incident. However, I am sure that all HA colleagues will continue to discharge their duties professionally, and with devotion and dedication in best serving members of the public," he said.
Ends/Thursday, September 22, 2011
Issued at HKT 19:13
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