Press Releases
SFH thanks panel for its investigation of blood transfusion incident
The Secretary for Food and Health, Dr York Chow, today (January 22) thanked the
investigation panel headed by Professor Yuen Kwok-yung for its prompt and
valuable package of recommendations to further enhance the standards and safety
of blood donation, storage and transportation processes as well as the clinical
management of blood transfusion reactions.
The Hospital Authority (HA) appointed the four-member panel earlier this month
to investigate a rare transfusion reaction event at Tuen Mun Hospital. The
patient concerned died on January 7 of suspected bacterial contamination after
receiving a blood transfusion at the hospital.
Expressing his heartfelt condolences to the family, Dr Chow said he hoped that
the HA would carefully examine the report with an aim to quickly implement the
effective recommendations to further enhance the standards of patient care and
services as well as to maintain blood donation and transfusion services which
are of high international standards.
"The panel has thoroughly investigated the events from donation to transfusion
of the contaminated blood unit from donor to the patient, as well as the
subsequent clinical management, for which I am most thankful.
"The expert panel has given the reassurance that all professionals involved in
this investigation have followed the international standards and guidelines in
their service which are among the best in the world," he said.
Ends/Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Issued at HKT 17:40
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