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Tag: SGH

  • SDP: Non-Transparency Over Hepatitis C Outbreak Extremely Serious

    SDP: Non-Transparency Over Hepatitis C Outbreak Extremely Serious

    The SDP sends our condolences to the bereaved families of those who died from the recent Hepatitis C outbreak at the Singapore General Hospital (SGH) as well as to those who are infected by this serious viral infection.

    We look forward to an expeditious and comprehensive investigation into how the episode occurred and, subsequently, deteriorated and what steps are being taken to prevent future mishaps.

    What is disturbing, however, is the non-transparent manner in which the incident was handled by the Government. Information about the outbreak apparently first emerged between April 17 and May 14 this year when the first five cases of the hepatitis C infections were reported by the SGH to the Ministry of Health (MOH).

    The SDP appreciates the difficulty in distinguishing between acute and chronic infections of hepatitis C in some of these cases, as explained by the MOH in its statement today. But even if it was only in August that the MOH was informed that cases were suspected to be linked, it would have been aware of the first outbreak in April. And yet the public was not informed.

    Most of these patients were apparently transplant recipients who, according to the Singhealth website, are routinely screened for hepatitis pre-transplant. Thus, their conversion from negative to positive would have been an indicator of an acute or subacute infection.

    Also, it appears that infection control reviews may have been conducted from at least June 2015 for patients in the affected wards. Thus, patient safety as well as safety of the blood supply were potentially compromised by delays in notification of the general public, especially those vulnerable patients who might have gone through the affected units.

    This is because individuals who may have been recently infected with the virus and incubating it may have gone on to donate blood without knowing that they were in the “window period”. This is a potentially extremely serious situation.

    It is our understanding that the outbreak is the among the most widespread in medical history. Yet the MOH kept the matter under wraps and did not keep the public informed. This is in marked contrast to the SARS Epidemic in 2003 when the Government handled the matter with much more transparency.

    The secretiveness in this episode is unwarranted as the public has the right to know – and the Government the obligation to inform the public – of such a life-and-death matter. The management of the incident by the Government raises two important questions:

    One, why was the public not informed when the outbreak was recognised and investigations commenced in May-June 2015 despite the potential risks to other patients?

    Two, was the withholding of the information a political consideration?

    The Government needs to answer these questions and account to the people over the matter.

     

    Source: http://yoursdp.org

  • Relative Of Woman Infected At SGH Tells Of Family’s Anguish

    Relative Of Woman Infected At SGH Tells Of Family’s Anguish

    A healthcare worker whose relative is among those infected with hepatitis C in a viral outbreak at the Singapore General Hospital (SGH) has spoken about her family’s distress at the turn of events.

    The patient, who is in her late 50s, is one of two affected persons still warded at SGH, the woman, who declined to be named, told TODAY over the telephone last night (Oct 7).

    Suffering from renal failure over the past 15 years, the patient first went to the hospital in June after she felt unwell. It was only after multiple tests — no symptoms showed up in the initial screenings — that she was diagnosed with hepatitis C and was warded at SGH in July, said the healthcare worker.

    On Tuesday, it was made public that the outbreak, possibly caused by a lapse in the use of multi-dose medication vials, has affected 22 patients since April 17. The 22nd case was detected on Sept 18. So far, four out of eight deaths among these patients are believed to be linked to the virus outbreak.

    The healthcare worker said the patient’s condition has gotten worse. She suffered from a loss of appetite, bed sores, nausea, and has been admitted to the Intensive Care Unit several times.

    The patient’s main carers are her husband and domestic worker, who have had to go through the “suffering of seeing a loved one’s blood being taken many times and go through numerous courses of medication”. They have kept the news of the viral outbreak from her.

    The family had contemplated stopping the treatment because of the high costs. Each dose of medication can cost up to S$3,000 and the family had incurred about S$80,000 to S$90,000 in hospital bills over the last two months.

    “There isn’t much improvement, we are neither here nor there, and right now, the patient herself is quite depressed … the whole treatment process has really dragged her down. Most of the time, she is telling us to just let her go, don’t want all this suffering,” said the healthcare worker.

    SGH has informed the patient’s spouse that they will be footing the medical bill. “I think they have tried their best … We do appreciate the goodwill from the hospital, that they realise this mistake and are willing to bear the costs even before investigations have concluded. This is a relief for the family.”

    The patient has been through one renal transplant “several years ago” but had to revert to dialysis because of side effects. “Renal patients have been through a lot in their lives. To them, these organs are very precious … but right now another of her organs, her liver, has failed,” the healthcare worker said.

    “Because of this possible lapse, the patient has to suffer, be it the treatment process, the side effects of antibiotics. The patient really has low willpower to live on. Even if the treatment goes well, what will be the home care needed for the patient. I think that is more worrying.”

     

    Source: www.todayonline.com

     

  • 22 Patients In SGH Renal Ward Infected With Hepatitis C, 4 Have Died

    22 Patients In SGH Renal Ward Infected With Hepatitis C, 4 Have Died

    The Singapore General Hospital (SGH) has apologised for an outbreak of the hepatitis C virus in one of its renal wards, which has led to 22 patients being infected with the virus.

    Of the 22, four – who were also ill with other serious conditions – have since died.

    At a media briefing on Tuesday (Oct 6) afternoon, the hospital said it had noted an increased frequency of hepatitis C virus infections in early June in the ward.

    It prompted SGH to step up urgent checks for the virus in patients with abnormal liver function test results staying in the same ward.

    Investigations into the cause of the infections are ongoing, but initial investigations have indicated that the source could be attributed to “intravenous (IV) injectable agents”.

    Hepatitis C, which causes liver chronic cancer, is mainly transmitted through blood-to-blood contact associatated with IV drug use, poorly sterilised equipment and transfusions.

    SGH chief executive officer Ang Chong Lye said: “We would like to apologise unreservedly for the grief, pain and anguish this has caused our patients and their families.

    “Patient safety is non-negotiable. What happens to our patients is always our responsibility. We will spare no effort in reviewing our processes and examining all possible sources of infection to prevent recurrence.”

    Prof Ang added that SGH is in touch with the affected patient and their families, and will “continue to provide full support and the appropriate care in managing their condition”.

    All 22 patients were admitted and stayed in the newly-renovated Ward 67 between April and June this year. Ward 64A, the original renal ward, was under renovation.

    They were all suffering from some form of renal disease, with the majority having undergone renal transplants.

    Professor Fong Kok Yong, chairman of the SGH medical board, stressed that while there has been no conclusive evidence to what caused the infections, the hospital had taken “aggressive” steps to rectify any shortcomings detected during the ongoing investigations.

    The hospital’s renal care team, including doctors and nurses, have undergone hepatitis C screening. The screening will also be extended to other doctors who covered the ward during the affected period.

     

    Source: www.straitstimes.com

  • Dr. Fined $2000 For Administering Chemo Drug Wrongly

    Dr. Fined $2000 For Administering Chemo Drug Wrongly

    A young doctor who administered a chemotherapy drug the wrong way, putting the patient at risk of “severe neurological damage”, has been fined S$2,000 by the Singapore Medical Council (SMC).

    Dr Garuna Murthee Kavitha, 32, had given the drug intrathecally, or into the membrane of the spinal cord, when she should have fed it intravenously to the patient.

    The error stemmed from the ward sending the wrong medicine, which Dr Kavitha did not check, the SMC’s disciplinary tribunal heard on April 21. She pleaded guilty to the charge.

    In mitigation, the lawyer acting for Dr Kavitha, who was practising as a Medical Officer at Singapore General Hospital, said the error was unintentional and stressed that she had disclosed the error immediately.

    She also never shied away from accepting responsibility and was a very young doctor who had learnt from this incident, her lawyer added. In contrast, previous similar cases saw more senior doctors being involved, while the errors took longer to detect before the patient was informed, and even medical records had been tampered with.

    Testimonials from Dr Kavitha’s superiors and colleagues, as well as feedback from the family of another patient were also submitted during the hearing.

    While it noted the “strong” testimonials attested to Dr Kavitha’s work ethic and integrity, as well as her Best Medical Officer award by SingHealth in 2013, the SMC’s disciplinary tribunal said a censure alone was inappropriate. It would not “reflect the seriousness of the conduct, nor would it deter such lapses or preserve public confidence in the medical profession”, it added.

    The disciplinary tribunal also censured Dr Kavitha and asked her for a written undertaking that she would not repeat the same conduct, as well as for her to bear the costs and expenses of the inquiry.

     

    Source: www.todayonline.com

  • Vigil At SGH – Wait Until Security Guards Tell Us To Leave

    Vigil At SGH – Wait Until Security Guards Tell Us To Leave

    At Singapore General Hospital (SGH) on Wednesday night, the mood was understandably muted.

    A number of people had made their way down especially for one reason – to keep vigil for Singapore’s first Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew.

    Mr Lee has been warded at SGH since Feb 5 with severe pneumonia.

    On Tuesday, the Prime Minister’s Office said his condition had worsened due to an infection. On Wednesday, it was announced that he was still critically ill.

    The people at SGH waited and sat in small groups scattered around the Block 6 waiting area. They spoke in hushed tones, making no commotion, even as some of the lights were turned off.

    People like Ms Julie Minhat came to offer their prayers for Mr Lee.

    Yet when Ms Julie, and others like her, spoke to The New Paper, a sense of hope could be heard in their voices.

    When asked why she made the journey, Ms Julie, 50, who was accompanied by her sister and three other friends  said: “It’s better than getting updates on TV or social media.  (Being) here, at least I feel close to him (Mr Lee).”

    Ms Julie, a resident of Ang Mo Kio, said she was at the hospital since 8pm.

    In that time, she had seen a build-up of media personnel. Close to 10pm, an area was cordoned off for the press.

    For most of the well-wishers at the hospital, some posts on social media proved painful to read. PMO issued a statement that a police report was being lodged against the hoaxers.

    Said Ms Julie’s sister, who declined to give her name: “At a time like this, it is distasteful to poke fun. When a person is in such a state, we should show respect.”

    That sentiment was shared by three men who arrived at the hospital’s waiting area at about 10.30pm.

    The trio — all former school mates from North Vista Secondary School — came to show support.

    One of them, Mr  Jason Gan, 25, said: “I know some do not like Mr Lee because he is strong-willed. But I appreciate what he has done for the country. Had he been soft or lacked focus, I don’t think Singapore would be where it is today.”

    Mr Gan, together with his friends Anthony Tan and Herman Loh, said they were unsure how long they would stay at the hospital.

    Likewise, Ms Julie’s entourage said they would stay until “the security guards tell us to leave”.

    Added Ms Julie: “The rumours currently floating online will not tarnish the image and reputation of the Singapore that Mr Lee has built.

    “Nobody can take that away from him.”

     

    Source: www.tnp.sg