Hong Kong hospital nurse injured by electric shock from faulty drug dispenser, with device inspection uncovering ‘unusual damage’
- Nurse receiving treatment for numb arm but in stable condition, hospital says, while incident has been reported to police
- Recent spate of incidents at public hospitals have involved faulty equipment or falling debris, and health authorities have pushed ahead with citywide safety inspections
A nurse was injured by an electric shock from a faulty drug distribution trolley at a Hong Kong hospital on Sunday, and staff reported the incident to police after a check of the device uncovered “unusual damage”.
The nurse was distributing medicine at Yuen Long’s Pok Oi Hospital when she received the electric shock, which was caused by a damaged computer power cable connected to the device, a spokesman for the facility said.
The hospital employee was being treated for loss of sensation in her arm but was in stable condition, he added.
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According to the spokesman, the incident was reported to police after an inspection of the trolley found “unusual damage”.
“The hospital will fully cooperate in the investigation,” he said. “The hospital will take all practicable measures, including conducting inspections on other drug trolleys, to ensure the safety of patients and staff members.”
Police on Monday night said an initial investigation found the no criminal element was involved. In a reply to media inquiries, the force said: “After initial investigation, it is believed that the incident does not involve any criminal element. The case has been classified as ‘property found to be damaged’.”
The hospital’s management expressed their sympathies for the injured nurse, who they said was receiving all the necessary care and support available.
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The incident was also reported to the Hospital Authority, with other facilities being alerted and advised to take precautions, it added.
The authority had already announced safety inspections for mounted medical devices and building structures at all 43 of the city’s public hospitals after a spate of incidents involving falling equipment and debris were made public.
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The authority earlier said a six-member expert committee, comprising specialists in engineering, construction and corporate communications, was formed to review the maintenance of medical equipment and communication between hospitals. The new body was expected to submit its recommendations in three months, it added.
