Attention duty announcers, radio and TV stations: Please broadcast the following as soon as possible and repeat it at suitable intervals: Members of the public are advised to report any street flooding that comes to … read more
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (August 27) investigating a case of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) infection, and hence reminded the public to maintain good personal, food and environmental hygiene against intestinal infections.
The case involves a newborn baby girl, who was born at a private hospital on August 11. She presented with blood stained stool on the next day. The patient has been in a stable condition all along and was discharged on August 13.
Her stool specimen grew STEC upon laboratory testing.
Initial enquiries of the CHP revealed that the patient’s mother was asymptomatic all along and had no recent travel history before giving birth. The patient’s mother had neither consumed unpasteurised milk or raw food, had contact with animals nor visited farms during the incubation period. The patient’s other home contacts remained asymptomatic. Investigations are ongoing.
“Escherichia coli (E. coli) is a bacterium that is commonly found in the gut of humans and warm-blooded animals. Most strains of E. coli are harmless. Some strains, however, such as STEC, can produce powerful toxins and cause severe food-borne disease. The most recognised serogroup of STEC is E. coli O157:H7,” a spokesman for the CHP explained.
Preventive measures for STEC infections are similar to those recommended for other food-borne diseases. The public are advised to observe good personal and food hygiene:
The Secretary for Security, Mr John Lee, continued his visit in Beijing today (August 27). Mr Lee called on Member of the Political Bureau and Secretary of the Political and Legal Affairs Commission … read more
The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:
The spokesperson for Tuen Mun Hospital (TMH) today (August 27) announced the following medical incident concerning a patient with temporary tracheostomy:
On August 4, 2018, a nursing student who was working in a surgical ward tried to perform tracheal suction for a 61-year-old male patient with a temporary tracheostomy after learning the patient felt discomfort with sputum retention. The student attempted to perform the procedure but in vain. The patient was found to have small amount of blood-stained vomitus. The student then sought immediate assistance from a duty nurse in the ward, who took over the procedure together with other nurses in the ward to support the patient. The condition of the patient kept deteriorating and the patient’s tracheostomy tube was also found displaced.
Two on-duty doctors in the ward also arrived shortly and started airway management and resuscitation for the patient. During the process, the patient developed cardiac arrest and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CRP) was initiated immediately. The patient resumed circulation after around 30 minutes. He was then transferred to the intensive care unit for further management. The patient’s condition further deteriorated and he succumbed last Saturday (August 25).
After receiving the report on the incident, the hospital management initiated on August 7 a preliminary investigation by reviewing the procedure of tracheostomy suction being performed by the nursing student, the patient’s symptom of shortness of breath and the resuscitation process. According to the Hospital Authority’s prevailing protocol, supervision and guidance must be provided when a nursing student is performing tracheostomy suction for patients.
TMH has been closely communicating with the patient’s relatives and apologised for not adhering to the protocol whereby supervision and guidance must be provided to a nursing student for the aforementioned procedure. TMH expressed deep condolence to the relatives. The Patient Relations Officer and Clinical Psychologist have been arranged to render necessary support to them. The case has been referred to the Coroner for necessary follow-up.
TMH has reported the incident to the Hospital Authority Head Office and an investigation will be launched. The hospital has also reminded ward management staff to strictly follow the protocol that supervision and guidance should be given to nursing students when special nursing care procedures are being performed. read more
The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Brussels (HKETO, Brussels) has supported Oxfam Trailwalker in Belgium for the fourth consecutive year, with the latest event held by Oxfam Solidarity Belgium on August 25 and 26.
This year, to raise money for charity, some 200 teams of four people made the 100-kilometre trek through the High Fens around Eupen, one of the most beautiful areas of Belgium. The teams had a maximum of 30 hours to complete the effort, with some continuing their journey through the night to the finish.
As Trailwalker originated in Hong Kong, the event is an ideal opportunity to promote Hong Kong’s many green areas and hiking trails. Trailwalker is now a worldwide event that takes place in nine countries over four continents.
At Oxfam Trailwalker in Belgium this year, the Deputy Representative of HKETO, Brussels, Miss Fiona Chau, officiated at the opening ceremony by giving opening remarks and firing the starting gun for the trek alongside the Deputy Minister-President and Minister for Culture, Employment and Tourism of the German-speaking Community of Belgium, Ms Isabelle Weykmans.
In her opening remarks, Miss Chau said that the strenuous effort and perseverance required to complete the arduous trail journey exemplify Hong Kong’s can-do spirit. Noting that it had taken a lot of determination, dedication, self-discipline and effort for the hikers to prepare for the challenging event, she encouraged them to persevere and get the best out of themselves in order to complete the 100km hike. She also invited participants to visit Hong Kong to discover the city’s beautiful countryside and hiking trails for themselves.
