The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:
The 74th issue of "HA Risk Alert" was published today (July 26) by the Hospital Authority (HA) as a risk management and communication initiative to further strengthen the reporting and monitoring of clinical incidents in public hospitals.
In the first quarter of 2024 (January to March), six sentinel events were reported, comprising one case of retained instruments/material after surgery/interventional procedure, two cases of wrong body part, one case of inpatient suicide and two cases in other category. Among the 23 reported serious untoward events, there were 20 related to medication errors and three patient misidentifications.
"Subsequent to the incident reviews and analyses of the root causes of these incidents, important lessons for patient safety have been identified, while recommendations are made and shared in this publication to avoid similar events in the future," An HA spokesperson said.
In addition, experts in emergency medicine and paediatrics appointed by the HA earlier have reviewed the guidelines on the practice of bedside procedures for paediatric patients in the public hospitals, and have provided a number of suggestions. The HA consolidated and published the expert review panel's suggestions in the latest "HA Risk Alert" and has again reminded clinical teams to strengthen the monitoring of the paediatrics patients when performing bedside clinical procedures, to improve communication with patients and their families, as well as to arrange procedural sedations for patients when necessary.
The HA has also earlier reminded clinical teams to carefully follow and execute the guidelines through co-ordinating committees and various platforms. Staff trainings will also be strengthened to ensure the safety of paediatrics patients during bedside procedures.
The HA Head Office has released the latest "HA Risk Alert" to all staff. It can also be accessed by the public at www.ha.org.hk/riskalert. "HA Risk Alert" is published on a quarterly basis and posted on the HA website on the last working Friday in the months of January, April, July and October. The next issue is scheduled for October 25, 2024 (Friday).
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