Princess Margaret Hospital announced a serious medical complication case
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The spokesperson for Princess Margaret Hospital (PMH) made the following announcement today (May 14) regarding a serious medical case of a female patient with complication after undergoing high risk medical procedure:
A 19-year-old female patient who suffers from end stage renal failure and requires peritoneal dialysis was admitted to the renal ward of PMH on April 11 for Klebsiella Pneumonia. After treatment of multiple antibiotics and oxygen therapy, the patient suffered from persistent fever and tachycardia. On April 21, patient was transferred to Intensive Care Unit (ICU) for oxygen desaturation. Echocardiogram revealed dilated cardiomyopathy with poor cardiac function in the patient. The patient was in serious condition.
At around 5pm of April 26, doctor started the catheter insertion procedure with the patient to facilitate continuous haemodialysis. Guided by ultrasound, doctor carried out the catheter insertion via the patient's neck to her vein. However, arterial waveform was noted upon connection. Doctor immediately stopped the procedure. Subsequent computed tomography scan confirmed the arterial puncture and hematoma at the right lower neck of the patient was found. Doctor immediately infused heparin to the patient to avoid thromboembolism.
The patient required an operation to repair the artery which may need the support from a cardiothoracic surgery team. After a discussion with Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH), PMH transferred the patient to QEH, which has a cardiothoracic surgery team, on April 27 afternoon. The hospital had explained with the patient's family about the complication. On April 28, the QEH vascular surgery team conducted an operation for the patient and successfully repaired the damaged artery. The patient was under treatment of the ICU following the operation and was in stable condition.
Since early this month, the patient developed weakness on the right side of her body and expressive dysphasia. Magnetic resonance imaging showed that the patient had acute left cerebral artery infarction, the patient was diagnosed with stroke. After reviewing the patient's treatment and clinical conditions, it was found that the patient's cardiac condition gave rise to a thrombo-embolic event, thus resulting in stroke. The patient is now hospitalised in ICU of QEH in serious condition.
The hospital has reported to Hospital Authority Head Office (HAHO) via the Advance Incident Reporting System. The patient's family has also lodged a complaint to the hospital. Internal review of clinical procedure has been carried out in the concerned department. PMH and QEH will meet the patient's family by next week to explain the detailed clinical management of the patient and the complication during the catheter insertion procedure.
The concerned catheter insertion is a high risk medical procedure with known complication, which contains risk of arterial puncture and may lead to stroke. The attending doctor has informed patient and her family about the risk of the procedure. The hospital extends its deepest regards to the patient's family. The hospital will maintain close communication with QEH. The patient's condition will be closely monitored and the hospital will continue to have close contact with the family to render necessary support and assistance.
Ends/Sunday, May 14, 2017
Issued at HKT 20:05
Issued at HKT 20:05
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