Caritas Medical Centre announces a sentinel event of inpatient suicide
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The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:
The spokesperson for Caritas Medical Centre (CMC) announced a sentinel event today (October 26):
A 73-year-old male patient was admitted to the single isolation room in a medical ward of CMC yesterday (October 25) due to exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPD). The patient had underlying chronic diseases and required oxygen therapy. The patient’s condition as well as emotion were stable upon clinical assessment by healthcare staff at that moment.
The patient was last seen by healthcare staff at 4.30pm on October 25 for blood taking. At 5.40pm, a nurse found patient hanging with a nasal cannula coiled around his neck in the toilet of the isolation room. Healthcare staff removed the nasal cannula and performed Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation immediately. Patient was then transferred to Intensive Care Unit for further treatment. The hospital reported the incident to the Police for follow-up in due course. The patient was certified dead at 1.27pm this afternoon.
The hospital was saddened by the incident and expressed deep condolences to the family of the patient. It will provide assistance to the family as required and will fully cooperate with the Police in the investigation.
The hospital is very concerned about the incident which was classified as a sentinel event. The incident has been reported to the Hospital Authority Head Office. A root cause analysis panel will be set up to look into the incident and propose recommendations. The incident has also been reported to the coroner for follow-up.
