Tseung Kwan O Hospital announces sentinel event
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The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:
The spokesperson for Tseung Kwan O Hospital (TKOH) announced a sentinel event on August 6:
A 56-year-old female patient with depression was sent to TKOH Accident and Emergency Department (AED) at around 11pm on August 4 due to drug overdose and was admitted to a medical ward.
As the patient has suicidal risk, healthcare staff placed her near the nurse station so that she could be under close monitor. The patient’s clinical condition and emotion were stable all along.
At around 7.15pm on August 6, the patient was found to have left the medical ward without notifying hospital staff. Security guards were deployed to search for the patient within the hospital compound but in vain. The hospital reported to the Police and also informed the patient’s family but her family could not reach the patient.
At 9.05pm, ward staff heard a loud noise and found the patient lying on the podium outside the ward. Healthcare staff from AED were deployed to perform resuscitation immediately. The patient was certified dead at 9.34pm.
TKOH is saddened by the incident and expressed deep condolences to the patient’s family. The hospital will provide assistance to the family and will fully co-operate with the Police for investigation. The incident has also been reported to the Coroner for follow-up.
The hospital has reported the incident to the Hospital Authority Head Office through the Advance Incident Reporting System.