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TMH announces patient incident related to haemodialysis
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The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     The spokesperson for Tuen Mun Hospital (TMH) made the following announcement today (November 14) regarding an incident involving a blood result for a haemodialysis patient:

     During regular surveillance performed last week, a 66-year-old female patient who is currently receiving haemodialysis treatment at TMH was confirmed with Hepatitis B antigen (i.e. a carrier of the Hepatitis B virus). TMH thus reviewed her medical record and found that her blood result in the same surveillance in November last year had already shown her status as a Hepatitis B carrier. TMH is deeply concerned about the incident and has contacted the patient to explain the incident and convey apologies. TMH will continue to monitor her health condition and render necessary treatment.

     Generally, Hepatitis B carriers are arranged to have treatment in a designated area of the haemodialysis centre to minimise the risk of cross-infection. However, the female patient concerned has received haemodialysis treatment in the general renal patient area but not in the designated area for the past year.

     The expert panel set up by the Hospital Authority Head Office (HAHO) and TMH has evaluated the incident and confirmed that the infection control measures taken by the haemodialysis centre at TMH are safe and up to international standard. In the general renal patient area, all haemodialysis machines are disinfected after every single use and tubes connecting to the machines are also disposable. A new tube will be connected to the machine before the next treatment for another patient. Throughout the treatment process, the medical team and the patient concerned have followed relevant infection control guidelines, so potential risks imposed to other patients receiving haemodialysis treatment in the same centre were very minimal.

     As a precautionary measure, TMH is contacting 79 patients, who do not possess antibodies or antigens of Hepatitis B and had shared the same haemodialysis machines with the patient concerned, to explain the incident. Among these patients, TMH would also follow the suggestion made by the expert panel to arrange blood testing and continuous health surveillance for 21 patients who are on long-term haemodialysis in the centre. TMH has set up a hotline at 2468 5422 for patient enquiries.

     TMH has reported the incident to the HAHO through the Advance Incident Reporting System. TMH will arrange for patients on haemodialysis to have blood tests every six months as per the prevailing guidelines. A panel will also be set up by TMH to investigate the delay in recognising the Hepatitis B carrier, and to make recommendations to avoid recurrence of similar incidents. An investigation report will be submitted within eight weeks.
 
Ends/Monday, November 14, 2016
Issued at HKT 20:00
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