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The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:
The spokesman for Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH) made the following announcement today (February 18) regarding an incident of disinfection of endoscopes:
On February 16 (Tuesday), the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Central Sterilization Services Unit (CSSU) conducted a regular stock inspection and found out that an expired disinfectant (proper name: Aperlan Agent A) was used in one of the multiple disinfection processes for endoscopes. The expiry date of the disinfectant was August 2015. The hospital has reviewed the related records immediately and confirmed that the endoscopes involved were used on four patients last week. As the disinfection process has not met the required standard, it may cause infection risks on patients.
The QEH is highly concerned about the incident and has assessed the possible infection risk. It is reckoned that multiple procedures have been taken in disinfecting the endoscopes, and that the disinfectant ˇ§Aperlan Agent Aˇ¨ was used in only one of these procedures. As a prudent measure, the hospital has contacted the four patients concerned. Apart from explaining the situation to them, the hospital would arrange blood tests and medical surveillance for them. Other follow up tests would also be arranged if needed.
The QEH had apologized to the patients concerned and will investigate into the incident to prevent similar incidents from happening again. The incident has been reported to the hospital management and Hospital Authority Head Office (HAHO) via "Advance Incident Reporting System". The investigation will be completed in eight weeks and the report will be submitted to the HAHO.
The CSSU conducted thorough stock inspections following this incident to enhance the quality and safety of the use of medical consumables. The hospital has also reminded staff to stay alert on a safe use of medical consumables.
Ends/Thursday, February 18, 2016
Issued at HKT 21:30
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