Princess Margaret Hospital announces sentinel event
****************************************************
The spokesperson for Princess Margaret Hospital (PMH) announced a sentinel event today (August 25):
A 74-year-old male patient was admitted to a medicine and geriatrics ward of PMH on August 21 due to hypertension urgency. The patient was not at suicidal risk during admission screening, and his emotional status was stable all along.
When ward staff measured the patient's blood pressure at around 5pm yesterday (August 24), the patient appeared calm without any abnormalities. At around 5.15pm, ward staff noted that the patient had not remained in the ward, but his personal belongings, including his mobile phone, were left behind. The patient's family was informed immediately. A local search for the patient within the hospital compound and in the vicinity was conducted but the patient could not be located. The hospital then reported the incident to the Police for assistance. The hospital was informed by the Police at around 10pm that the patient was found dead after falling from a height in the evening.
The hospital was saddened by the incident and expressed deep condolences to the family of the patient. The hospital will provide assistance to the family as required and will fully co-operate with the Police investigation.
The hospital is very concerned about the incident, which was classified as a sentinel event. The incident has been reported to the Hospital Authority Head Office via the Advance Incident Reporting System. A root cause analysis panel will be formed to investigate the incident.
Ends/Monday, August 25, 2025
Issued at HKT 19:32
Issued at HKT 19:32
NNNN