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The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:
The spokesperson for Caritas Medical Centre (CMC) today announced a sentinel event:
A 59-year-old male patient who had a history of diabetes, serious coronary disease with Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI) done in 2000, had regular follow-up in the Specialist Outpatient Clinic (SOPC) of Medicine and Geriatric (M&G) Department of CMC. The patient presented with recurrence of acute coronary syndrome from December 2013 to January 2014 and admitted twice to the hospital. After being assessed by and having received treatment from our M&G doctors and cardiologists, he was referred to Grantham Hospital (GH) for PCI.
PCI with stent insertion was performed in GH on February 17, 2014. His condition was stable and was discharged on the next day (February 18). The patient was arranged to be followed up by CMC and an anti-platelet agent (Plavix) was prescribed. The patient attended our M&G SOPC as scheduled on March 11 and April 29 respectively with stable condition.
The patient was found unconscious yesterday (April 30) and was admitted to Cardiac Care Unit (CCU) via Accident and Emergency Department of Princess Margaret Hospital (PMH) with provisional diagnosis of acute coronary syndrome with cardiogenic shock. Emergency PCI was done with finding of acute stent thrombosis and coronary artery occlusion. The coronary artery blood flow was restored after PCI and the patient was transferred back to CCU for close monitoring. However, the patient's condition continued to deteriorate and the patient passed away in the afternoon on the same day. During review of the patient's medical record, it was found that the prescribed drugs had not included the anti-platelet agent by our M&G SOPC since March 11.
The hospital expresses sorrow for death of the patient and sends our deepest condolence, as well as extends apologies to the family. The hospital has explained the incident to the patient's family yesterday afternoon and will continue to liaise closely with the family and offer all possible assistance whenever necessary.
The case has been referred to the Coroner by PMH and reported to Hospital Authority Head Office (HAHO) by CMC. An investigation panel, comprising experts and external representatives, will be set up by the hospital to investigate the incident and a report will be made by the investigation panel in eight weeks for submission to the HAHO.
Ends/Thursday, May 1, 2014
Issued at HKT 20:38
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