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The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:
The spokesperson of Tuen Mun Hospital (TMH) made the following announcement today (October 3) regarding a complaint:
A 13-year-old boy, diagnosed to have cervical spine subluxation earlier, was arranged to have an operation to prevent ongoing damage to the spinal cord. Doctors met the parents before the operation to explain the risk and had got their consent. The operation was performed on August 4 by a surgical team led by a paediatric spinal diseases expert from USA and assisted by three TMH senior neurosurgeons.
The operation was uneventful. The patient regained consciousness after the operation and extubation was performed in accordance with the treatment plan. The patient shortly developed breathing difficulties requiring resuscitation and emergency procedures to re-establish the airway. The patient had cardiac arrest during the resuscitation process. After the operation, the patient was transferred to the Intensive Care Unit for further management. The concerned medical team and patient relations team of TMH have maintained constant communication with the patient¡¦s parents to explain the condition and progress of the patient and render required support. The patient died on August 22. The hospital expressed their deepest condolences to the relatives and provided necessary assistance to the family.
The case was reported to the Coroner and the hospital will facilitate the investigation work. The hospital also reported the case to the Hospital Authority Head Office. Regarding the incident, an independent panel was set up to review the clinical management of the case. The investigation was completed on September 30. Dr K L Chung, Deputising Cluster Chief Executive of the NT West Cluster met the parents and family of the patient to express condolences again and to explain the result of the investigation report. The meeting lasted for two hours, and answered to the queries raised by the family. The Hospital will continue to follow up on the further queries and provide necessary assistance to the family.
Ends/Monday, October 3, 2011
Issued at HKT 22:25
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