Hong Kong’s health minister has promised to improve the training for intern doctors following two medical errors in public hospitals. Secretary for Health Lo Chung-mau stated that the Hospital Authority will focus on enhancing training for inserting nasogastric tubes for intern doctors after incidents involving misreading X-rays by trainees.
Lo expressed regret for the mistakes that led to the mishaps and recognized that there may be systemic issues. He emphasized the importance of ensuring that all medical graduates undergoing internships are adequately prepared for practice. The authorities plan to review the training provided by the two public hospitals where the incidents occurred.
One incident involved an intern doctor mistakenly inserting a nasogastric tube into a patient’s bronchus, causing the patient to experience complications. The hospital discovered the error after a re-examination of the chest X-ray. Despite the critical condition initially, the patient showed improvement after receiving treatment.
This was the second incident in less than four months, with the previous one involving a nurse incorrectly placing a feeding tube for formula milk in a patient’s bronchus. The patient’s condition deteriorated, leading to a critical situation. A Root Cause Analysis Panel later determined that the intern lacked sufficient experience to interpret the X-ray findings accurately.
In response to suggestions that senior doctors should conduct X-ray examinations instead of interns, Lo disagreed, stating that it was not the most effective solution. He also opposed the idea of banning intern doctors from practice after incidents, as it would not address the underlying issues. Lo emphasized the importance of interns gaining experience and responsibility during their training.
It is crucial for hospitals to provide better training and guidance for interns in interpreting X-ray results, especially for high-risk patients. The incidents highlight the need for ongoing education and supervision to prevent similar errors in the future.
Ensuring the competence of intern doctors is essential for maintaining patient safety and upholding the standards of medical practice in Hong Kong. By addressing training gaps and implementing effective oversight measures, the healthcare system can improve the quality of care provided to patients. The incidents serve as a reminder of the importance of continuous learning and development for medical professionals to prevent medical errors and ensure positive health outcomes for patients.
