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The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:
The spokesperson of Caritas Medical Centre (CMC) today (August 18) announced a serious blood transfusion reaction event:
A 64-year-old female patient was admitted on August 9 and underwent laminectomy and lumbar spinal fusion on August 15 for scoliosis with spinal stenosis. She was transferred to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) due to an unstable postoperative condition and required ventilator support and blood transfusion. Subsequent urgent Computed Tomography revealed that the patient had an intracerebral haemorrhage. The patient was immediately transferred to the neurosurgery unit of Kwong Wah Hospital (KWH) for emergency management.
Blood-type testing and screening was conducted in KWH according to established pre-operation procedures. Results showed that the blood type of the patient was group B, which was different from the result recorded as group A by CMC earlier. After repeating the typing procedures in the Pathology Department of CMC, it was suspected that there was an error in the earlier blood grouping, resulting in a mix up of two patients' test results. The other patient involved did not require blood transfusion and has already been discharged following recovery.
The hospital is very concerned about the incident and has already reported to the Hospital Authority Head Office (HAHO) via the Advanced Incident Reporting System. An investigation panel, comprising experts and external representatives, will be set up to investigate the incident and review the procedure for blood grouping. The report will be completed in six to eight weeks for submission to the HAHO. Counselling has been provided to the member of staff concerned, who has now been suspended from blood grouping duties.
The hospital immediately reminded all departments to enhance monitoring as well as reminding all the frontline staff to strictly comply with the protocol and guidelines for blood grouping to prevent recurrence of similar events.
The hospital has explained the incident and extended an apology to the patient's family. The patient is now staying in the ICU of KWH and is in a serious condition. Her condition will be closely monitored. The hospital will maintain close contact with and offer necessary assistance to the family.
Ends/Thursday, August 18, 2011
Issued at HKT 18:23
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