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The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:
The 16th issue of "HA Risk Alert" is published today (May 28) by the Hospital Authority (HA) as a risk management and communication initiative to further strengthen the reporting and monitoring of adverse incidents in public hospitals.
This latest issue charted the top clinical incidents reported in the Advanced Incident Reporting System in the latter half (i.e. July to December) of 2009. Three recent sentinel events of non-consent operation and retained medical instrument/consumables were elaborated on in this issue in addition to reports of five cases of patient suicide and two cases of maternal death. While the contributing factors to the two cases of maternal death cannot be identified for the time being, the publication describes overseas experiences in the prevention of maternal death.
In this issue, drug allergy alert strategies adopted by different hospital clusters to promote medication safety were shared. A report on a baby scald incident was also published to share the key learning points and to enhance staff vigilance.
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 and posted on the HA website every last working Friday in alternating (odd) months. The next issue will be published on July 30, 2010.
Ends/Friday, May 28, 2010
Issued at HKT 16:38
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