Tuen Mun Hospital announces an incident of missing despatch of dead body for autopsy

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     Tuen Mun Hospital announces an incident of missing despatch of dead body for autopsy today (September 22):
 
     A pregnant woman at 25-week gestation with no signs of life for her foetus received an induction of labour on the August 2. After the induction of labour, the doctor conducted a series of examinations and tests for the woman and the foetus' specimens, including blood test, X-rays, placenta examinations and chromosome tests to investigate for the cause of stillbirth. 
 
     In addition to the examinations and tests of various specimens, the family members had also agreed to perform an autopsy for the foetus, which would be handed over to the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department upon completion of autopsy. 
 
     The doctor was unable to find the autopsy report in the Clinical Management System when the woman returned for postpartum examination in mid-September. Follow-up investigation indicated that the foetus had not been despatched for an autopsy the other day. 

     The hospital had met the woman and her family to explain the incident and expressed an apology. The clinical team will continue to closely follow up the postnatal condition of the woman to provide appropriate treatment and assistance.
 
     The hospital is very concerned about the incident and has reported to the Hospital Authority Head Office via the Advance Incident Reporting System. The hospital will look into the incident and make recommendations for improvements.