Hospital investigates patient’s feeding tube error

The Queen Elizabeth Hospital said on Wednesday it had launched an investigation after an error involving a feeding tube left a patient fighting for his life.

Yau Ma Tei Hospital said the 61-year-old was being treated in an orthopedics ward and needed a nasogastric tube to receive formula.

A spokesperson said the tube was inserted by a nurse on Sunday lunchtime and replaced in the evening according to procedures. However, the patient’s condition deteriorated early Tuesday morning.

“Doctors immediately performed resuscitation and organized a bronchoscopic examination of the patient, where a nasogastric tube was found placed in his bronchus,” the spokesperson added.

The patient was transported to the high dependency unit before being transferred to intensive care. On Wednesday, his condition was considered critical.

“The hospital is saddened by this incident,” the spokesperson said. “QEH met with the patient’s family to explain the incident, offer its sincere apologies and express its deep empathy. QEH will continue to communicate closely with the patient’s family and provide necessary assistance.

The incident was reported to the hospital authority. A panel was set up to investigate and recommend improvements within eight weeks.

Separately, Kwong Wah Hospital said it canceled 25 elective surgeries scheduled for Thursday after a power outage hit some of its operating rooms on Wednesday evening.

One operation had to be moved to another room during the cut, which started at 7 p.m. and lasted 50 minutes. He contacted the affected patients and apologized. Other services were not affected.

The incident was reported to the hospital authority.