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The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:
A spokesperson for Hong Kong West Cluster (HKWC) today (September 5) announced an incident which has been reported to the Hospital Authority (HA) Head Office via the Advance Incident Reporting System:
An 88-year-old male cancer inpatient of Tung Wah Hospital (TWH) was arranged to receive regular radiotherapy at the Integrated Ambulatory Centre of Queen Mary Hospital (QMH) yesterday (September 4) and was transported by the Non-Emergency Ambulance Transportation Service (NEATs). Before departure to QMH, a TWH nurse preformed regular tracheal suction for the patient at around 10.30am in the ward to clear his airway. All vital signs of the patient were normal.
The ambulance arrived TWH at 11am to pick up the patient for direct transfer to QMH. The NEATs attendants escorted the patient to the ambulance with a stretcher. On the way to QMH, an attendant checked the pulse of the patient according to usual practice. The patient arrived at the QMH Integrated Ambulatory Centre at 11.30am and was found unconscious by the medical staff. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation was performed immediately.
During the course of cardiopulmonary resuscitation, tissue paper was found inside the airway under the tracheostomy opening. The patient was later transferred to the Intensive Care Unit and succumbed at around 9pm last night.
As the reason for the tissue paper being found in the airway was unclear, the hospital has reported the case to the Police and, after the patient passed away, the Coroner. QMH has also reported the incident to the HA Head Office via the Advance Incident Reporting System while HKWC will conduct an internal investigation in due course.
QMH has explained the incident and expressed its deepest condolences to the patient's family. The Patient Relations Officer will continue to maintain close contact with the family and offer necessary assistance.
Ends/Thursday, September 5, 2013
Issued at HKT 21:26
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