HA Steps Up Toilet Checks After Patient's Death

The Hospital Authority (HA) said on Wednesday that staff will inspect toilets at accident and emergency units at public hospitals every hour with immediate effect as part of efforts to better ensure patient safety.

The announcement came after the death of a patient who passed out in a toilet at the Eastern Hospital's A&E unit following a 12-hour wait to be seen.

The authority said it has also reminded staff to step up patrols in A&E patient waiting halls, and arrange patients with higher risks to areas close to where medical workers are present.

"We attach great importance to patient safety. The HA understands the public concerns over the issues related to patients waiting in A&E," the spokesman said.

The HA added it is installing sensor systems in accessible toilets at some A&E units on a trial basis to help monitor patients.

It also plans to begin using tracking systems in some A&Es later this year on a trial basis. Suitable patients who have given their consent will be given a tracking device, and their whereabouts can be located by staff.

Earlier, Health Secretary Lo Chung-mau said it is not ideal for people to wait such a long time to be assessed at A&Es.

Lo expressed his condolences to the victim's family and said authorities will look into improvement measures after a coroner's inquest into the death has taken place.