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The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:
A spokesperson for Princess Margaret Hospital (PMH) today (May 28) announced the following sentinel event:
A 57-year-old female patient with motor neuron disease, complicated by pneumonia and respiratory failure, has been receiving supportive care in Lai King Building of PMH since September 2012. The patient has all along been in serious condition. The patient was at advanced stage of the disease and dependent on oxygen therapy with a respirator.
At around 1.30pm on May 26, the patient was relocated to another cubicle of the same ward for operational need. The relocation was in charged by two nurses. The nurses considered safe to temporarily suspend the oxygen therapy for one to two minutes during relocation of the patient. The patient deteriorated and soon developed cardiac arrest after settled in another cubicle with oxygen therapy re-connected. Resuscitation was carried out immediately. However, the patient suffered from another cardiac arrest. Her family agreed not to further resuscitate. The patient was ultimately certified dead at around 4pm.
The hospital is very concerned about the incident and feels sorry about the passing away of the patient. Consultant-in-charge and the ward staff had met with the family members to explain the incident in details. PMH has apologised and expressed its deepest condolences to the family. The case has been referred to the Coroner and reported to Hospital Authority Head Office through the Advanced Incidents Reporting System. PMH will investigate into the case thoroughly and make recommendations to improve.
Ends/Tuesday, May 28, 2013
Issued at HKT 21:02
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