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A spokesman for the Department of Health (DH) said today (December 10) that the department is investigating into a sentinel event in a private hospital, in which a patient had to undergo surgical removal of her ovary after an oocyte pick-up procedure in August this year.
DH received the report from Shatin International Medical Centre Union Hospital (the Union Hospital) yesterday. A woman had an oocyte pick-up procedure in the hospital on August 18. Her condition deteriorated within 48 hours after the procedure. She attended the Accident and Emergency Department of Tuen Mun Hospital for medical consultation on August 20. She then underwent surgical removal of her ovary and was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit for further treatment. She was discharged in early September.
The Union Hospital has been urged to adhere to the sentinel event reporting system which requires private hospitals to report to DH, within 24 hours of occurrence, medical incidents falling into specific categories of sentinel events.
"DH¡¦s investigation continues. Since the incident involves potential medico-legal issues, it is inappropriate for DH to further disclose the details of the incident," the spokesman added.
Ends/Saturday, December 10, 2011
Issued at HKT 21:46
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