Hong Kong hospital apologises for patient’s death after student nurse performed unsupervised procedure
Elderly man died after the student attempted tracheal suction on the patient, who later suffered a cardiac arrest
A Hong Kong hospital apologised for failing to follow protocol after the death of an elderly patient, upon whom a nursing student performed a medical procedure without supervision or guidance early this month.
Tuen Mun Hospital released a statement on Monday night on the incident, which happened about three weeks ago, and expressed deep condolences to the relatives of the deceased patient.
On August 4, a nursing student in a surgical ward tried to perform tracheal suction for the 61-year-old man with a temporary tracheostomy after learning that he was uncomfortable and had sputum retention.
According to the hospital, the student’s attempt was in vain, and the patient was found to have a small amount of blood-stained vomit. The student asked for immediate help from a duty nurse who, with other nurses, took over the procedure.
“The condition of the patient kept deteriorating and the patient’s tracheostomy tube was also found displaced,” the hospital spokesman said.