The Department of Health today referred a sentinel event involving a maternal death at a private hospital to the Medical Council, and noted that its follow-up actions are ongoing.

The decision was made based on the department’s investigation findings and an expert’s opinion received yesterday.

On July 6, the department received notification of a sentinel event from a private hospital, concerning the passing of a pregnant woman.

The hospital also reported the case to the coroner.

On the day it received the hospital’s notification, the Department of Health immediately started an investigation and took follow-up action, including conducting a site inspection to verify the hospital’s compliance with the regulation under the Code of Practice for Private Hospitals in respect of staffing, accommodation or equipment.

The department also reviewed the hospital’s credentialing mechanism on doctors’ qualifications, experience, performance and eligibility to work.

It has requested the hospital’s medical advisory committee to review the quality of care for the case and take follow-up action as well as submit an investigation report in four weeks.

Meanwhile, the department sought an independent professional opinion on the clinical management of the case.

Under the Private Healthcare Facilities Ordinance, private healthcare facilities such as private hospitals, are required to inform the Department of Health about their reportable events, including sentinel events and serious untoward events, within a specified timeframe.

The department regularly uploads the statistics and information on these events to the Office for Regulation of Private Healthcare Facilities’ website.