Hong Kong doctor Wong Cheuk-yi faces disciplinary panel over death of cancer patient Wang Keng-kao in 2011
Man died after breathing hole in his throat was blocked by gauze
A doctor whose cancer patient died after a breathing hole in his throat was blocked by gauze appeared before the Medical Council on Tuesday for a disciplinary inquiry.
Dr Wong Cheuk-yi faced three charges of professional misconduct in managing the care of 73-year-old Wang Keng-kao. Wang died at Kowloon Hospital almost seven years ago.
Wong had overseen Wang’s care from October 2011 at the hospital. Wang had undergone surgery at Queen Elizabeth Hospital, where a permanent tracheostomy – a surgical incision in the windpipe – was performed to enable him to breathe. He later suffered a stroke and was transferred to Kowloon Hospital for rehabilitation.
Hong Kong hospital under investigation after suspected medical blunder leaves teen half-paralysed
Following Wong’s death in November 2011, gauze was found covering the opening in his throat – the only channel through which he could breathe – and taped down at all four edges by nurses.
The blunder was among the most high-profile medical mistakes in the city in recent years.
Three nurses involved in the same case were found guilty of professional misconduct by the Nursing Council in 2016, and were banned from practising for one month. Their nine colleagues were cleared.