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The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:
The 26th issue of "HA Risk Alert" was published today (July 27) by the Hospital Authority (HA) as a risk management and communication initiative to further strengthen the reporting and monitoring of medical incidents in public hospitals.
In the foreword of the latest issue, Chairman of the Central Co-ordinating Committee (Quality and Safety) Dr Chui Tak-yi shared the risk alert issued by the Medical and Dental Defence Union of Scotland. It was noted that given that there is interplay between emotionally charged behaviour and cognitive skills, doctors are advised to make the care of their patients their first concern and avoid any circumstances, such as poor relations with a colleague, that may impair that duty. Dr Chui further noted that mutual respect among colleagues in a working environment is a safety measure whose importance should not be underestimated.
The reported sentinel events analysed in this issue highlighted one case of wrong side procedure performed and three cases of retained segment of consumables. Among the 30 reported serious untoward events, there were 26 medication incidents and four cases of patient misidentification. Subsequent to reviews by investigation teams, recommendations were made and shared in this publication to avoid similar events in future.
The publication also presented the statistics of medication incidents in the second half of 2011.
The publication has been distributed to all healthcare professionals in public hospitals for continuous quality improvement. It can also be accessed by the public at www.ha.org.hk/riskalert.
"HA Risk Alert" is published quarterly and posted on the HA website every last working Friday in the months of January, April, July and October. The next issue will be published on October 26, 2012.
Ends/Friday, July 27, 2012
Issued at HKT 18:00
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