The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:
The spokesperson for Pok Oi Hospital (POH) announces a patient identification swapped incident today (March 18):
Two female patients aged 81 and 103 were sent to the Accident and Emergency Department of POH on March 13 morning and were admitted to negative pressure ward for isolation treatment. The two patients have tested positive for Covid-19 earlier, with stable condition while staying in the hospital.
The 81-year-old female patient was assessed fit for discharge by doctor and was sent back to old aged home yesterday. Old aged home staff discovered that the patient was not its resident upon receiving the patient. At about the same time, the 103-year-old female patient was arranged transferring to Tin Shui Wai Hospital for further management. Relatives were arranged tele-visit upon the arrival of the patient. But relatives realised that the patient's identification was wrong. Both patients were sent back to POH and are currently in stable conditions. POH investigated the incident and initial findings suspected that the patients were put on wrong wrist bands leading to their identification swapped. After assessment, doctor confirmed that the two patients' treatment were made in accordance to their clinical conditions and their treatment and health conditions were unaffected.
POH is very concerned about the incident and has contacted the relatives of the two patients to extend apologies and explanations. Two patients' information has been arranged to update. Staff are also reminded to verify patient identification cautiously. POH will investigate the incident thoroughly. The incident has been reported to the Hospital Authority Head Office via the Advance Incident Reporting System.
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