The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority: The spokesperson for Kwong Wah Hospital (KWH) made the following announcement today (June 20) regarding an electricity supply interruption incident in o… read more
The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:
The spokesperson for Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH) announces a sentinel event today (June 19):
A 61-year-old male patient, feeding with a nasogastric tube, was arranged to feed with formula milk after replacing a new tube by healthcare staff in an Orthopedic ward of QEH. While the patient’s condition deteriorated afterwards, it was revealed that the nasogastric tube was not placed in an appropriate position.
The hospital is highly concerned about the incident. After preliminary review, it was revealed that a new nasogastric tube was inserted by a nurse on June 16 noon according to the established arrangement. Another nurse examined the patient in the evening and considered reinsertion of the nasogastric tube was needed. The nurse followed the established protocol to collect aspirated fluid samples for pH test and to verify the position by auscultation. Feeding of formula milk was then resumed, followed by a chest X-ray examination for the patient.
The patient’s condition suddenly deteriorated in the early morning of June 18. Doctors immediately performed resuscitation and arranged bronchoscopy examination for the patient, where a nasogastric tube was found placed in his bronchus. The tube was immediately removed by doctor and the patient was transferred to the High Dependency Unit for close monitoring. The patient is now hospitalised in the Intensive Care Unit with critical condition. The clinical team will continue to closely monitor the patient’s clinical condition and provide appropriate treatment.
The hospital is saddened by the incident. QEH has met with the patient’s family to explain the incident, extend sincere apologies and express deep empathy. QEH will continue to closely communicate with the patient’s family and provide necessary assistance.
The QEH is very concerned about the incident, and has reported to the Hospital Authority Head Office through the Advance Incident Reporting System. A Root Cause Analysis Panel has been set up to investigate the root cause of the incident. The panel will submit report and recommend improvement measures within eight weeks. The panel members are as follows:
Chairperson:
Dr Tang Kam-shing
Hospital Chief Executive, Kwong Wah Hospital
Members:
Dr Fong Wing-chi
Chief of Service, Department of Medicine, Queen Elizabeth Hospital
Ms Li Wah-chun
Cluster General Manager (Nursing), Kowloon Central Cluster
Dr Leung Chi-shing
Consultant, Department of Medicine and Geriatrics, Caritas Medical Centre
Mr Yip Chun-ki
Department Operations Manager, Department of Medicine, Queen Mary Hospital
Ms Chiu So-yan
Manager (Patient Safety and Risk Management), Hospital Authority read more
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (June 19) continued its investigation into a case of dengue fever (DF) announced yesterday (June 18). The CHP urged again the public to maintain strict environmental hygiene, mosquito control and personal protective measures both locally and during travel.
According to the latest findings of epidemiological investigations, no linked case has been identified by the CHP so far. Meanwhile, blood sample of the patient’s household contact tested negative for dengue virus upon laboratory testing. As at 6pm today, the CHP has contacted over 2 600 residents from over 1 000 households of Tin Shui (1) Estate in Tin Shui Wai where the patient resided. No suspected case is identified.
The CHP’s further investigations revealed that the patient works in a company at Super Terminal 1 of Hong Kong International Airport. Due to operational needs, she occasionally visits to the Cathay Cargo Terminal and Airport Freight Forwarding Centre. Her colleagues are currently asymptomatic and under medical surveillance. Officers from the CHP and the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) inspected the relevant locations today. The management of the premises is advised to strengthen their anti-mosquito measures. The CHP and the Hong Kong Airport Authority have provided the relevant information to the airport staffs and will arrange health talk for the staffs working in the relevant premises.
In addition, the patient recalled history of mosquito bites on a bus when travelling to and from workplace during the incubation period. Officers from the CHP inspected cleansing service contractor’s mosquito prevention and control work on buses of that bus route concerned. The Transport Department has also requested the bus operator to strengthen mosquito control measures at appropriate times.
The CHP held a health talk jointly with the FEHD this evening in the Tin Shui Community Centre, during which the CHP also conducted free DF antibody tests for people in the district with relevant symptoms.
Meanwhile, the CHP appeals to persons who have been to Tin Shui (1) Estate with DF symptoms to call the CHP’s hotline (2125 2374) which is operating from 9am to 5pm from today, Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays) for laboratory investigation or referral as appropriate. Dengue fever is clinically characterised by high fever, severe headache, pain behind the eyes, muscle and joint pain, nausea, vomiting, swollen lymph nodes and rash.
The CHP’s investigations are ongoing.
The public should take heed of the following advice on mosquito control:
With the approach of the summer holidays, the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (June 19) appealed to members of the public who intend to travel to stay alert to the situation of infectious diseases in their destinations. The CHP specifically reminded members of the public to adopt necessary precautions to guard against the recently increasing group A streptococcal (GAS) infection, including streptococcal toxic shock syndrome (STSS), and mosquito-borne diseases when travelling abroad.
GAS infection
In Japan, an increase in STSS cases has been observed since 2023. According to information of the Japan Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, as of June 2, 977 cases have been reported in 2024, exceeding the previous record high of 941 in 2023 and the range of 622 to 894 during 2019 to 2022. Moreover, an increase in invasive group A streptococcal infections (iGAS disease) and scarlet fever has also been observed in at least five countries in Europe.
The rise in the number of STSS cases may possibly be contributed by the increase in various respiratory infections after the relaxation of COVID-19 measures. GAS infection is caused by the bacteria, namely Streptococcus pyogenes, that can be found in the throat and on the skin, which can be transmitted by droplets and contact. The bacteria can cause mild diseases including pharyngitis, impetigo and scarlet fever to iGAS disease such as necrotizing fasciitis and STSS.
Anyone can get iGAS disease, but the elderly and young children, persons with chronic illnesses (e.g. diabetes) or immunocompromised persons may be at higher risk. People with breaks in the skin or with recent viral infections (e.g. chickenpox, influenza, etc.) are also at higher risk of developing iGAS disease. On the other hand, the disease can be effectively treated with antibiotics and prompt treatment helps alleviate symptoms faster and prevent complications.
A spokesman for the CHP reminded travellers to maintain good personal and environmental hygiene as well as practising good wound care in order to reduce their chance of getting infected. Among others, travellers are strongly advised to practise hand hygiene frequently, avoid sharing personal items and put on a surgical mask in case of going to crowded places.
Mosquito-borne diseases
During their travel, members of the public are also urged to stay vigilant against mosquito-borne diseases including dengue fever (DF), Japanese encephalitis, zika virus infection, malaria, etc. Of note, according to the World Health Organization, the latest surveillance data shows significant increase in DF cases in some places in Asia (such as Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand) and America (such as Brazil, Argentina, Peru and Colombia) compared to the same period last year. The Americas have recorded over 8 million cases of DF reaching a record high number.
The CHP spokesman reiterated that members of the public should follow stringent anti-mosquito measures when travelling. When travelling to areas where vector-borne diseases are common, they may consider to arrange travel health consultation with doctor at least six weeks before the journey for risk assessment during which the need for any vaccinations, chemoprophylaxis and vector preventive measures will be determined.
The following measures on mosquito control could reduce the chance of acquiring mosquito-borne disease during travel:
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (June 19) investigating a suspected case of paralytic shellfish poisoning affecting two members of a family. The case… read more