Hong Kong nurse suspended following blunder in which patient’s body was sent to mortuary before doctor signed off
Health minister Ko Wing-man orders an inquiry as Shatin Hospital chief says the mistake might be linked to overcrowded conditions during the flu season
A nurse involved in a blunder at Shatin Hospital in which an 87-year-old patient was sent to a mortuary before being certified dead by a doctor has been temporarily suspended from work, the Hospital Authority said.
The hospital’s chief executive apologised to the patient’s family on Thursday and said that ward staff had ensured the heart of the male patient had stopped beating and his blood pressure was no longer detectable before moving his body – even though the document confirming death had not been signed by a doctor.
A brief history of Hong Kong’s medical blunders
Dr Lee Koon-hung also admitted that overcrowded public hospitals could be a factor for the doctor not signing off on the certificate immediately.
“There was a mistake in the handling procedures,” said Lee. “Wards have been congested during the flu season. Further investigation is needed to see if the body was handled earlier due to crowded spaces.
“The doctor might be handling the needs of other patients and therefore could not immediately sign the death certificate,” Lee said.
Since January, public hospitals have faced unprecedented demand from patients because of the flu season and the prolonged winter. Overcrowding began to ease only this month.
An investigation team had been formed to probe the blunder, looking into why and how it happened, why an incident report was delayed and communication between medical staff, Lee said.