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The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:
The spokesperson for Haven of Hope Hospital (HHH) made the following announcement today (September 5) about an adverse medical incident:
A 92-year-old male patient who was suffering from congestive heart failure and respiratory failure was transferred from United Christian Hospital (UCH) to HHH on June 24. Dopamine intravenous infusion had been prescribed since August 19 for treatment of heart failure. At around 8pm, September 2, two nurses refilled the Dopamine infusion and adjusted the infusion rate of the pump according to standard practice. The dosage should be 3ml per hour. A nurse subsequently noted that 100ml had been infused in one hour. The infusion was stopped immediately and on-call doctor was informed. After assessment, the doctor decided to transfer the patient to UCH immediately for further management. The patient succumbed at 3.29am, September 4. The case had been referred to the Coroner.
The hospital expresses deepest condolences for the death of the patient. The hospital explained the incident to the patient's family this afternoon with apology. The hospital will keep close contact with the patient's family and provide all necessary assistance. The two concerned nursing staff members have taken leave for the time being.
The hospital is highly concerned about the incident and had reported the incident to the Hospital Authority Head Office (HAHO) via the Advance Incident Reporting System. An investigation panel will be set up for indepth investigation. It is expected that the investigation panel report will be completed for submission to the HAHO in six to eight weeks.
Ends/Friday, September 5, 2014
Issued at HKT 20:37
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