Gauze blunders at Prince of Wales Hospital sparks review

Interns should not be allowed to stitch new mothers' wounds until the procedure has been checked by two other staff members, a review has recommended.

The report came after gauze was left inside four women who had just given birth at the Prince of Wales Hospital.

Three of the women were stitched up by an intern at the Sha Tin public hospital in June. An experienced resident physician treated the fourth woman.

The report was written by a committee of doctors from the hospital.

It suggests two medical employees should count and double check the number of gauze used when stitches are required to ensure all are accounted for.

It also says the form used for recording the procedure should be clearer.

Some women giving birth require stitches due to tearing or incisions made by doctors. Any gauze left behind can cause infection.