United Christian Hospital announces disposal of discarded blood bag incident
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The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:
 
     The spokesperson for the United Christian Hospital today (May 2) made the following announcement regarding improper disposal of a discarded blood bag:
 
     The United Christian Hospital (UCH) confirmed today after a preliminary examination that a discarded blood bag was found misplaced with other recyclables and transported to the recycling contractor last Saturday (April 28). The blood bag, with less than 5ml blood left, was discarded after transfusion procedure. The recycling contractor had taken immediate segregation procedure when the blood bag was discovered. There was no leakage found and no member of the public was affected in the incident.
 
     The UCH has informed the Environmental Protection Department and will follow up the incident.
 
     The UCH management is highly concerned about the incident. The UCH has taken the following contingency measures immediately:
 
* To commence thorough investigation tracing the root cause of the incident and to conduct a comprehensive review of the protocol of handling clinical waste. Improvement recommendation will be made if appropriate after the investigation;
* To suspend all recycling activity immediately;
* To increase the frequency of collecting clinical waste;
* Larger designated containers are used to collect clinical waste; and
* To enhance training for staff and cleansing contractor to ensure them understand and comply with the appropriate protocol.
 
     Appropriate disciplinary action will be taken if any staff or cleansing contractor is found not following the prevailing clinical waste disposal protocol after the investigation.
 
     The UCH regularly reminds staff and cleansing contractor to strictly follow the protocol. It also organises relevant training regularly for new staff.
 
     The incident has been reported to the Hospital Authority Head Office via the Advanced Incidents Reporting System. The UCH expresses regret about the incident.

Ends/Wednesday, May 2, 2012
Issued at HKT 20:13

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