The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     A spokesperson for Kwai Chung Hospital (KCH) made the following announcement today (November 5) on a fatal in-patient incident:

     The healthcare staff of the acute admission male ward in KCH was informed by a patient at around 9pm last night (November 4) that another patient sustained injuries in the bathroom. A 41-year-old male patient was found lying on floor of the bathroom with facial, nasal, eyebrow and lip injuries. He was confused and unable to give a verbal account of his injury.

     After initial assessment by the doctor, the patient was transferred to the Accident and Emergency Department of Princess Margaret Hospital. He was noted to have weakness in the left limbs and slurring of speech. He was admitted to the medical ward for further assessment. As the patient presented shortness of breath, intubation was arranged by the doctor to assist his breathing. The patient's condition continued to deteriorate and succumbed at around 2am today.

     KCH is very concerned about the incident and has informed the patient's relatives immediately. Subsequent follow-up with other patients in the ward indicated that the patient concerned had had physical conflicts with another patient. In view of the seriousness of the incident, KCH reported the case to police. The hospital will fully cooperate with the police in the investigation.

     The hospital has reported the incident to the Hospital Authority Head Office via the Advance Incident Reporting System and the case will be referred to the Coroner for follow up. The hospital will continue to closely communicate with the patient's relatives to provide necessary assistance.

Ends/Monday, November 5, 2018
Issued at HKT 21:30

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